Fire displaces residents of northern Wake County neighborhood

The fire started at about 7:15 p.m. in the Highland Creek neighborhood off Louisburg Road.

Fueled by gusty winds, the fire damaged four single-family homes and destroyed three others. At least 16 people were displaced, investigators said.

"They (the houses) were just going up almost like matchboxes, just one after another catching fire. All the grass, all around, was just spreading the fire from one house to the other," neighbor Bob Maglio said. "It was just really sad to see that."

People affected by the fire gathered with their neighbors at the subdivision's clubhouse.

“We're a close knit community and everybody gets along. It's just devastating for anyone to lose their home," neighbor Sonja Wade said.

Highland Creek resident Judy Barillari was in Greensboro Tuesday on business. Her family says her home appears to be a total loss.

"She very distraught (and) I think the big part that she is most disturbed about is the photos, memorabilia, things of that nature, that she has lost," said Dan Paner, Barillari's son-in-law. "Obviously, we don't know what is salvageable, and what's not salvageable right now."

No injuries were reported from the fire. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.