By Tim Binnall
The 'Frisco UFO House,' a beloved North Carolina landmark that was lost to a fire last month, may make something of a 'return to Earth' as a fundraiser has been launched to replace the flying saucer-shaped structure with the first modern version of the famed Futuro Home. The flying saucer-shaped building had been located in the community of Frisco on Hatteras Island for decades, serving multiple purposes and 'landing' at different locations over the years. However, a unexplained fire destroyed the site in late October and left the landmark nothing more than a mass of charred ruins. The unfortunate incident spawned considerable sadness in the community as the UFO House had become a local institution. Now some residents are hoping to replace the roadside attraction and make some history in the process.
As luck would have it, an Ohio company announced earlier this year that they plan to begin producing a modern-day version of the Futuro House and the community of Frisco may just be their first customer. To that end, a crowdfunding campaign, as well as a local t-shirt sales drive, have been launched to raise the considerable amount of money needed to buy one of the newly minted flying shaped-homes. Though their financial target is rather formidable, organizers observe that, beyond bringing back the beloved landmark, their effort represents a unique opportunity as "all Frisco needs to claim its title as the 'home of the first new UFO constructed in 50 years' is money and subsequent community support."
As for the fire that destroyed the original 'UFO House,' there appears to be some intrigue still swirling around the blaze. Caretaker Leroy Reynolds expressed suspicion about the incident, explaining that the building was not hooked up to electricity when the inferno erupted. "So, unless there was a mouse that was playing with matches," he mused, "this fire was purposely set." One presumes that an investigation by authorities will ultimately determine if Reynolds' concerns are correct. That said, regardless of what started the fire, residents hope that their efforts will lead to the 'Frisco UFO House' rising from the proverbial ashes to dot the local landscape once again.