Roanoke Rapids firefighters are trying to determine the cause of a fire at 229 Chockoyotte Street this morning.

Deputy Chief Mike Clements said firefighters received the call shortly after 9:30 and found smoke showing upon arrival. Firefighters did a quick knockdown.

It appears the fire started in the back of the house. Roanoke Rapids police were also on the scene to determine if the fire was suspicious.

Red Cross officials were also on the way as Clements said, “It appears the occupants will be displaced.”

Rose Roundtree, who owns the house, said someone called to tell her the house was on fire. She said it appeared to start in the backroom. “That was the one burned the most.”

Her son, his girlfriend and their baby live in the house and Roundtree said she sometimes stays there.

As far as she could determine, most of the belongings in the back room were destroyed, including items for the baby. “We have no insurance, nothing but a deer,” she said, pointing to a plastic lawn ornament outside. “I thank God the baby wasn’t at home.”