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Shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday, Albemarle Fire Department received a report of a fire at a home at 406 S. Third St.

All three Albemarle fire stations responded. Firefighters reported visible smoke and flames upon arrival. Fire crews gained control of the fire within 20 minutes of arrival. No injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation.

Albemarle police officers also responded to the scene. During their investigation, officers spoke with witnesses who reported seeing a man leave the home at the time of the fire. Officers were told that the man went into a nearby wooded area.

Based on this information, Albemarle Police requested a K9 unit as mutual aid from the Oakboro Police Department to assist in locating the individual.

Oakboro Police Department’s K9 Joker arrived on scene and tracked the subject’s path. During the track, Joker located an article of clothing a witness reported seeing a man wear when he left the home while it was on fire. The track continued to a building behind the wood line adjacent to the home that was on fire.

Inside the building, Joker located two subjects of interest related to the fire.

The case remains under investigation, according to police.