The State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to determine the cause of a fire at 206 Robinson Drive outside Roanoke Rapids Sunday.

Sunday marked the fourth time there has been a fire reported at the residence since November, Davie Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Padgett said today.

“We're responding to the chief's request,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said, explaining the fire department requested assistance from the sheriff's office, which, in turn, contacted the SBI.

Padgett said it is unclear what has been causing the fires at the residence. “We're hoping to get some answers.”

Davie responded to the residence around 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Firefighters, with assistance from Roanoke Rapids, observed heavy smoke coming out of the eaves on both sides of the house.

Firefighters stayed at the scene until shortly after 1 p.m.

Firefighters were unable to determine a cause. Padgett declined immediate comment on whether he felt the cause of the Sunday fire or the previous ones may have been from some malfunction or whether the fires have been intentionally set.

Padgett said he believed the house was uninhabitable at this time. He said he has informed the sheriff's office about the frequency of calls to the residence and was meeting with the SBI today.