jim avila. >> reporter: 3:00 in the morning down hidden meadow court. a warm, sticky night, clear skies, full moon, the peaceful scene shattered by a spark. >> gaston county 911. >> we have a house fire, fully engulfed, 4835 hidden meadow court. >> you think there's somebody inside? >> reporter: suddenly the sky lights up bright. a house is burning, and it looks bad. neighbors are horrified. >> we think there is somebody inside, please help us. there's a lady's car here, she's not answering -- there's no way she's going to survive this. >> and now at noon, a house burned down to the ground where a mother and two children lived. eyewitness news reporter ken lemon, he's been on the scene all morning. >> reporter: reporter ken lemon is among the first on the scene. >> as you mentioned, police can't stay it was that woman. the house was in ruins. and you could tell it was a pretty bad fire. >> reporter: the missing lady is 31-year-old lucy johnson. married twice. a well-liked young mother living with her two children, working as an emergency room nurse. luc