Fire Guts Half of Raleigh Duplex

The State Bureau of Investigation joined city detectives in the probe, and investigators said they believe the fire was intentionally set.

No injuries were reported in the blaze, which started at about 7:40 a.m. and was brought under control within a half-hour. Firefighters who arrived on the scene three minutes after receiving the call reported finding one side of the duplex fully involved in fire.

They contained the fire to that side of the building in the Washington Terrace complex.

"“Our first concern is to make sure everybody’s out and nobody’s injured,” fire department Capt. Michael Hayes said.

“We had the flames knocked down pretty quick. Then it’s just a matter of not disturbing evidence until the investigation takes place,” Hayes added.

Tammy Goodson and her family live in the other side of the duplex that didn't burn. They woke up to a neighbor across the street banging on the door.

“Saying 'ya'll get out, get out, get out, because the apartment next door is on fire,’" Goodson said.

Investigators said the fire appeared to have started in a chair in the living room.

The woman who lived duplex where the fire begun spent the morning quoting scripture and talking to investigators. She left the scene in the back of a Raleigh patrol car.

The Goodson family said they are just thankful nobody was hurt.

"It's a sad situation, I mean it's Thanksgiving. We're thankful that we are still alive and we are here," Goodson said.

Investigators said they had identified a person of interest, but are not releasing a name.