Authorities: No foul play suspected in Christmas Mouse fire

Fire gutted The Christmas Mouse in Nags Head on Friday, April 12. [Kari Pugh photo]

Investigators have determined an April fire that gutted the popular Christmas Mouse store began in an area at the back of the building used to store cardboard boxes, The cause, however, is still unknown.

The source of ignition “remains undetermined, with  no foul play suspected,” Town of Nags Head spokeswoman Roberta Thuman said Thursday.

The shop at 2401 South Croatan Highway in Nags Head opened in 1987 and became a tradition among families visiting the Outer Banks. Rob Marshall, whose family owns eight Christmas Mouse locations in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, said the store will be rebuilt.

 

The fire, reported at 2:15 p.m. April 12, started at the back of the building and quickly spread through much of the store, to a utility tower behind the shop, and a small thicket of mostly pine trees to the north. No one was hurt.

The Christmas Mouse engulfed in flames. [Photo courtesy Hanco Air]
The Christmas Mouse is a family tradition for many locals and visitors, with families strolling through year after year, and buying ornaments for Christmas trees back home.

The two-story, 8,000-square-foot store featured nine rooms upstairs and four sections downstairs filled with Christmas trees, wreaths and other decor. Dare County tax database values the building at $513,400.

.
About Kari Pugh 1073 Articles
Kari Pugh is digital director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, 94.5 WCMS and News Talk 92.3 WZPR. Reach her at kpugh@jammediallc.com