COMO — A couple has lost everything after a fire devastated their home near here.

On Friday morning, firefighters from Como and Murfreesboro battled the flames that fully engulfed the two-story wood structure located off Highway 258 north of Como and just south of the Mill Neck community.

The thick black smoke from the two-alarm blaze could be seen from the northern outskirts of Murfreesboro.

Como Fire Chief Jason Howell said his department was dispatched to the residence at approximately 7:30 a.m. after a passerby reported the fire.

“I knew the size of the structure and requested mutual aid from Murfreesboro Fire Department,” he said. “When we arrived the back of the house was fully engulfed and then the fire consumed the rest of the home.”

He added both homeowners were at work when the fire was discovered and there were no injuries.

Howell said 15 firefighters from Como and approximately 10-12 from Murfreesboro battled the blaze. Fire trucks had to drive around one mile to the nearest fire hydrant to fill up on water.

At the scene, friends and neighbors consoled the homeowners, Alfonzo and Tracy Wright.

The sight of the huge flames consuming the home caused motorists on Highway 258 to slow down and stare. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol along with the Hertford County Sheriff’s Department had officers at the scene for traffic control.

At one point during the fire, the right side of the home collapsed into the side yard.

Howell said it took approximately three and a half hours to get the fire under control. He described the home as “a total loss.”

“In a situation like this, we (firefighters) pull together to try to save someone’s home,” he said. “Unfortunately, when we arrived it was too far gone.

As of 12 noon, the fire was still smoldering and Howell was still conducting an investigation into the cause.

He said the blaze originated in the kitchen and he believed it may be electrical in nature.

Howell said the Wrights will be staying with family members and he has provided them with telephone numbers to the Red Cross. The couple does have home insurance.

Howell thanked Murfreesboro Fire Department for their assistance.

Howell said the Como Fire Department responded to a different fire at the same residence in November or December. The water pipes underneath the home had frozen and the home owner had tried to thaw them out and ignited some of the insulation.