BEAUFORT, NC – The Beaufort Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 105 Front Street early Monday morning, Dec. 15, 2025. The Beaufort Fire Department received the call at approximately 6:31 a.m. and arrived to find active fire conditions at the historic Duncan House.
Firefighters worked quickly under cold and windy weather conditions to bring the fire under control. Mutual aid was requested, and several neighboring departments responded to assist in containing the fire and protecting nearby structures.
Assisting agencies included:
- Morehead City Fire-EMS Department
- Atlantic Beach Fire Department
- DownEast Fire Department
- Mill Creek Volunteer Fire & EMS Department
- North River/Laurel Road Volunteer Fire Department
- Beaufort Emergency Services
- Carteret County Emergency Management
- Carteret County Fire Marshal’s Office
- Salvation Army
The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. No injuries have been reported.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for Beaufort,” said Mayor Sharon Harker. “The Duncan House is part of our historic fabric, and while we are grateful no lives were lost, the emotional toll of damage to a home—especially one with deep family and historic meaning—is significant. We are deeply thankful for the swift and brave response of our firefighters, and our hearts are with the family as they face this difficult time.
The property is registered on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only 11 properties in North Carolina designated as Statewide Properties of Significance, a special legislative designation per North Carolina General Statute 160D-949C. This well-known local historical landmark was originally built in sections beginning in the 1700’s.
In a 2012 letter, State Historic Preservation Officer, Jeffery Crow, describes the “Duncan House” as “an example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Individually, each aspect of the Duncan House is locally significant, but when all of the aspects are considered together, the importance of the Duncan House increases. By virtue of its type, location, and siting, this imposing and largely intact example of a ‘Beaufort House’ stands as a key element in establishing the character of the nationally significant Beaufort House District.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Beaufort Fire Marshal is leading the investigation with the assistance of the State Office of the Fire Marshal, State Bureau of Investigations, and the Carteret County Fire Marshal’s Office.
For additional information, please contact Beaufort Public Information Officer Rachel Johnson at r.johnson [at] beaufortnc.org (r[dot]johnson[at]beaufortnc[dot]org).