SURF CITY, N.C. (WNCN) -- A massive house fire at the North Carolina coast burned up to three island homes and sent thick black smoke into the sky Saturday afternoon, according to witness reports.

The blaze was reported around 5:30 p.m. in the north end of Surf City, which is located about midway on Topsail Island, with North Topsail Beach to the north and Topsail Beach in the far south.

Several photos and video clips were posted on social media showing the blaze with intense flames and a huge column of smoke. The Pender County Sheriff's Office confirmed there was an active fire early Saturday evening in Surf City.

One witness, Marc Turner, said that the intense fire that destroyed one home was in the 1700 block of North Shore Drive.

Two adjacent houses were damaged after the fire brok

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