Abandoned home burns in Raleigh, blocking major intersection near North Hills

Firefighters on Monday responded to a large house fire at an abandoned home in north Raleigh.

The WRAL Breaking News Tracker arrived at the large home near North Hills Drive and W. Millbrook Road at 8:15 a.m.

The intersection leading to the house was blocked, so WRAL News had to access the scene from behind. Flames and smoke were visible beyond the treeline.

Sky 5 flew overhead at 8:45 a.m. showing the large plume of smoke above the trees.

Firefighters at the scene told WRAL News the home is vacant and firefighters have been using it for training exercises for several months. 

Monday's fire, which began around 7:30 a.m., was not a training event, and the cause is under investigation, officials said. Millbrook Road was closed for several hours.

WRAL's Ally Kadlubar reported that the smoke was visible even five minutes away from the scene.