Massive fire guts Manns Harbor warehouse: ‘It’s a very sad day’

Published 8:22 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2024

By Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy

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Courtesy Kathleen Twiddy

Courtesy Robin Mann

Courtesy Kathleen Twiddy

At 3:16 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, a fire was reported at Manteo Furniture’s warehouse in Manns Harbor.

It was reported that all employees of Manteo Furniture and Valentino Custom Boats evacuated safely.

Multiple alarms went out, drawing firefighters from as far away as Corolla, Tyrrell County, Currituck County, northern beaches and Hatteras Island communities in addition to crews from Manns Harbor, Roanoke Island, Stumpy Point and more.

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Manns Harbor residents commented that firefighting equipment and firefighters arrived quickly.

The fire was massive. Black smoke poured from the 9,780 square-foot metal warehouse building, which held Manteo Furniture inventory and the Valentino Custom Boats facility. Two ladder trucks poured water on the fire.

The North Carolina Forest Service brought its tanker.

By 5:49 p.m., no flames were reported by an observer, though the ladder trucks still pumped water.

“It’s a very sad day,” said Robin Mann. To her eye, it seemed that the homes surrounding the warehouse were spared.

The structure previously housed Paul Mann Custom Boats.

The warehouse is valued by Dare County for tax purposes at $664,500.

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