Rolesville Panel Has Fire-Prevention Plan

ROLESVILLE — After two major fires in three months in one neighborhood, Rolesville has proposed a new fire-prevention plan.

A special committee came up with the recommendations, but some say the plan could do more harm than good. If passed, the proposal would change the way houses are built in Rolesville.

“Homebuilders recognize that we always have to look at how events occur, and (ask) are there thing that we can learn from it,” said Tom Minton, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.

Minton added, however, that he worries the committee making the recommendations might be over-reacting. The recommendations include using more fireproof material, leaving more space between houses and allowing only certain types of siding.

Builders say the plan would drive up home prices.

“We’re going to have fires in Wake County. We’re going to have them in Rolesville,” Minton said. “We just want to make sure that people are going to be able to afford homes in these communities as well.”

But for many neighbors in the community, you can't put a price on fire safety.

“We’re concerned ourselves. If our neighbor’s home caught fire, or ours, then the homes around it would be at stake,” said homeowner Julie Smith.