Husband and wife die in Wake County fire at family home
A husband and wife died in a Wake County home fire on Monday night.
After 5 p.m., fire crews in Wake County responded to a fire call at Castlebrook Drive where the couple lived.
The man was identified by family members as 73-year-old George Rizk.
Fire crews were able to get the woman, Diana Rizk, out of the burning home. Later on Tuesday, officials confirmed she died.
Two adults sons lived at the home as well. Neither of the sons were at home at the time of the fire. The brothers' longtime employer, an owner-operated Chick-fil-A, has created a GoFundMe to help the family.
"They're both leaders in the business, both just great people, and we love them," said Chris Latta, owner of Chick-fil-A at Capital Crossing Shopping Center. "They're part of our family, and as we saw last night at the scene. Ten or 12 of our folks showed up to care for them, to love on them, to pray for them. They are just part of the culture here that we want to create, and who they are as people helps do that."
The fundraiser has already raised more than $18,000, as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.
The county told WRAL News crews used a fire hydrant about 400 feet from the house for water to fight the flames.
According to Wake New Hope Fire Department Chief Tim Guffey, Wake County and the city of Raleigh entered an agreement in July 2022 where county units would come in to supply water and "beef up" the manpower.
Monday was the first time this plan was put into action when fire crews from Rolesvile, Raleigh and New Hope were called to put out the fire.
Sanders and other neighbors credited emergency crews for their response.
"We have [the] great city of Raleigh Fire Department," Sanders said. "These guys have done a great job out here, as well as the sheriff's department."
Fire crews also removed a dog from the home.
WRAL's Sky 5 witnessed firefighters attempting to extinguish fire in the home and firefighters on top of the structure as smoke billowed out.
An investigation is underway to learn what caused the fire.
