Home destroyed in overnight fire

HAMPTON, Va. - Smoke lingered above the home on Holloway Drive hours after firefighters doused the final flames. A fire, just one hour into the New Year, gutted a two-story home, leaving windows black with ash and char.

"We all heard some firecrackers and we came out and this whole entire house was on fire," said neighbor Amanda Pate.

Pate stood outside for an hour watching firefighters try to control the flames. Her plan was to stay home for New Year's Eve, until she heard what she described as an explosion.

"The whole entire left section was on fire, especially the garage."

Firefighters said the family who lives here was out of town for the holiday, and no one was injured in the fire. But it burned so hot, it melted siding on the next home over.

As the fire tore through the Hampton home, it left neighbors in a state of surprise on what was supposed to be a night of celebration.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.