Fire destroys OBX condo complex

KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (WAVY) - Fire crews returned Friday to the scene of a massive condominium fire in Kill Devil Hills.

According to Dana Harris with the Kill Devil Hills Police Department, crews responded just before 7 p.m. Thursday to Seven C's Condominiums on Route 12 around mile marker 7.5.

Photos: Jan. 10 Kill Devil Hills condo fire

Police said only one of the condos was being rented out at the time and its occupants got out without injuries.

The property website says Seaside Vacations owns 11 units at the complex. The owner told WAVY.com they were booked for the spring/summer tourist season. The company is working to call guests with reservations and find them other condos in Kill Devil Hills.

Several owners of condos at the Seven C's condominiums visited the scene of the fire on Friday. Many were speechless when they saw what was left of their vacation homes.

"The gentleman over there, Nick. He's wasn't able to speak for an hour when he came," condo owner Craig Langman said.

For many families like Langman's, Seven C's was the destination for vacations at the beach and a place that held priceless memories.

"My grandson Jackson took his first step here in the condo a couple of years ago," Langman said.

Langman had a Navy-themed condo and had rented it out for years. Now, it is somewhere in the charred rubble with his Navy SEAL Qualification certificate.

Langman's wife is sentimental about a small log they used to welcome renters.

"We had a sea log we kept in there for all the renters to make comments, so we lost that. That was probably the most emotional thing for my wife when she thought about what we losing," Langman said.

The blaze burned many of Langman's belongings, but he said he remains positive.

"You take those memories and keep the thoughts. You move on and hopefully we can rebuild and make it better," Langman said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.