No injuries apparent in Wednesday fire in Kill Devil Hills

Smoke is visible behind the Dare County Regional Desalination Facility in Kill Devil Hills around 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Saunders)

By Corinne Saunders

KILL DEVIL HILLS — A plume of smoke was visible from U.S. Highway 158 around 1:50 p.m. Wednesday above what appeared to be Dare County-owned property in Kill Devil Hills.

Outer Banks Insider was on the scene around 1:55 p.m. and saw responding firefighters roll out a hose, attach it to the fire hydrant in front of the Dare County Regional Desalination Facility and soon after extinguish whatever had caught fire to produce the smoke.

It was not immediately clear what was on fire or how it started, but it appeared that the fire was in the brush and did not affect any buildings.

Responding Dare County Emergency Medical Services personnel rolled a gurney out to the scene, but it did not appear that anyone was injured.

For about 20 minutes as a precaution, staff from the county buildings in the area, including the water department, parks and recreation and the library, were evacuated outside from their respective buildings.

Dare County Public Utilities Director Jessica King, standing outside, said that by the time she’d seen the smoke on adjacent property around 1:52 p.m., someone had already called 911 and a police officer was already on scene.

“They’re very good at what they do,” King said of emergency services personnel.

Kill Devil Hills Fire Marshal John Risoldi said he did not believe there were any injuries from the fire. He said emergency services workers always roll out the gurney onsite—which remained unoccupied—as a precaution.

A hose is attached to the fire hydrant in front of the Dare County Regional Desalination Facility in Kill Devil Hills on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Saunders)

Thursday update, added to this article May 8 at 6 p.m.:

The Kill Devil Hills Fire Department shared on social media late Thursday afternoon that it “responded to a fire at Aviation Park” yesterday.

“Thanks to the fast action of our team, the fire was quickly contained, and there were no injuries to report,” the fire department’s post said.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the resident(s) who called it in—your vigilance helped prevent further damage,” the post said, also extending thanks to the town’s police department and the North Carolina Forest Service for their assistance on the scene.

The fire remains under investigation, Lt. Julie Haner of the Kill Devil Hills Police Department said in a Thursday afternoon email response to Outer Banks Insider.

“There has not been anyone charged in connection with the fire in the wooded area adjacent to Aviation Park yesterday afternoon,” Haner said.

Haner encouraged anyone with information about the incident to call the police department at 252-339-5319 or share anonymous tips via the Dare Community Crimeline at 252-473-3111 or 800-745-2746.

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