No one injured in house fire on Melrose Ave. in Roanoke 

No one was injured when firefighters battled a blaze at a northwest Roanoke home late Monday night.

Crews were called to the two-story home in the 2200 block of Melrose Avenue about 10:30 p.m., where they found flames coming from the back porch, said Roanoke Fire-EMS Deputy Chief Jeff Beckner.

No one was found inside the home after a search of the residence, Beckner said. By 11:45 p.m., crews were still actively fighting the fire.

Jennifer Paulin, who lives next door, said she smelled smoke, went outside and spotted flames.

"We seen it [smoke] coming out of the vent of the attic," she said. "My son went to the back and he seen that the back porch was on fire."

Lawrence Paulin, Jennifer's husband, said the home's two occupants had moved out about a week ago. He said the landlord had been there Monday morning because she said someone had stolen a stove out of the house.

Officials shut down Melrose Avenue from 24th Street to 22nd Street while they doused the flames.

Beckner said the fire's cause was still under investigation.

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