AULANDER – The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office has summoned the State Bureau of Investigation to probe into the cause of a Tuesday night fire that destroyed a home on the outskirts of Aulander.

Bertie Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Ed Pittman said the residence, a pre-manufactured home located at 736 NC 11 South Business, was a total loss.

“The person living in the home, Michael Freeman, said he arrived at his residence at approximately 11:15 p.m. and saw fire coming from the kitchen area of the home,” Pittman said.

Pittman added that a call from Freeman to Bertie County 911 dispatch was received at 11:16 p.m. At that time, the Aulander Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched.

Upon his arrival at the scene, Pittman said he deemed the fire as suspicious. He contacted the SBI and said they would send an agent to Bertie County today (Thursday) to join with Pittman in conducting a full, fire scene investigation.