Table Of Content
- Charlotte Fire Department fighting blaze at construction site
- Live Nation offers $25 concert tickets for select shows; See the list of performers
- Road closures
- $850k in damages reported, 30 people displaced following large apartment fire in south Charlotte
- Deadly fire breaks out at construction site in SouthPark area of Charlotte

NC Occupation Safety and Health (OSHA) has begun an investigation. Charlotte firefighters at the scene said a number of federal agencies are also on standby to assist with the investigation. As a precautionary measure, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said all students and staff stayed inside with doors and windows closed to minimize exposure to smoke. The district also stated that road closures impacted transportation routes home. A full list of impacted bus routes and schools can be found here.
Charlotte Fire Department fighting blaze at construction site
Anyone missing a loved one after the fire is asked to call 911 to speak with a police officer. "A Mayday is required when we have to send other firefighters to rescue those companies," the fire official explained. Officials said firefighters were tasked with extinguishing the "very fast-moving" fire, which had high-heat conditions of well over 2,000 degrees. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. This is a breaking news story, check back for updates.
Live Nation offers $25 concert tickets for select shows; See the list of performers
Fire officials said crews had several "maydays," which means crews were either trapped or had access issues when escaping. In total, 15 workers were rescued from the site and no firefighters were injured. A construction worker on the scene of the massive fire told WCNC Charlotte that he and his crew were working in the building before the massive blaze.
Road closures
The fire started on the second floor, according to witnesses. Demonte Sherrill’s father, Terry Campbell, said he rushed to the scene after Onita Sherrill told him about the fire. Fire officials struck a fifth alarm shortly before 10 a.m. (WBTV) - The Charlotte Fire Department has identified the two men killed in the massive construction fire in south Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood last week. Download the WBTV News app for any new updates and breaking news alerts. He said fire crews have remained on scene since Thursday morning, but companies could potentially return to their stations Friday evening.
Witnesses told Channel 9′s Joe Bruno that the fire started on the second floor. Construction workers said there were nearly 100 people working at the site at the time of the fire. The fire broke out at an apartment complex on Fishers Farm Lane around 3 p.m. A second alarm was struck shortly after the fire broke out. The fire was controlled in 50 minutes by 60 firefighters. Construction worker Demonte Sherrill, 30, died in the blaze, family said.
Over 90 firefighters from the Charlotte Fire Department rescued 15 people from the construction site. The two men who died were unable to get out of the fire, officials said. More than 90 firefighters were called to battle a massive fire at an apartment complex that was under construction near SouthPark Mall Thursday. The fire started shortly after 9am on Liberty Row Drive. — Charlotte city officials confirmed that two people died in the five-alarm fire that ignited Thursday morning in the South Park area of Charlotte.
We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. Large clouds of smoke and flames shot hundreds of feet in the air from the area of Barclay Downs Drive and Fairview Road, near SouthPark Mall. Officials said firefighters were tasked with extinguishing the "very fast-moving" fire, which was over 2,000 degrees. We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the two people who were missing in the construction fire that took place yesterday.
Quiroja said many of the workers are without their jobs and their tools, since they were forced to leave those behind when they rushed out. “They started getting out, they started screaming ‘get out, get out because the building is on fire,’” he described to Sáenz. Sáenz spoke with Alejandro Quiroja, who was working on the building’s metal framing on the first floor.
Construction worker rescued from top of crane during huge fire in SouthPark
NC cites companies with 8 violations, issues $56,000 in fines for massive SouthPark fire - Charlotte Observer
NC cites companies with 8 violations, issues $56,000 in fines for massive SouthPark fire.
Posted: Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a statement for the public to "please avoid the SouthPark area and seek alternate routes." Smoke quickly clouded the area, creating respiratory issues for some as multiple agencies went to the scene to contain the massive fire. Johnson said there were a number of nearby rooftop fires due to the embers and the size and volume of the construction site fire. Drivers should avoid the SouthPark area and seek alternate routes.
NC to adopt new fire code in wake of massive SouthPark fire in Charlotte - WCNC.com
NC to adopt new fire code in wake of massive SouthPark fire in Charlotte.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Charlotte Fire Department responded to the scene on Liberty Row Drive near Fairview Road shortly after 9 a.m.. The five-alarm fire was the city’s first of the year. Jennings said police assisted Charlotte Fire with traffic control, as well as with the evacuation process.

The fire chief also maintained that the fire was accidental, and said it appears to have been sparked by a spray insulation foam trailer fire. Witnesses and social media video described spectacularly high flames, leaping 50 feet in the air. The fire was mostly extinguished as of noon, though firefighters were still spraying hot spots. There was ash all over the ground, and traffic was stopped on many surrounding streets. "We watched it start to smoke gradually and then we saw the smoke get bigger, and then, initially, the front of the building caught on fire," the witness said.
The cloud of smoke from the fire was so thick it was registering on the radar. WCNC Charlotte Forecaster Larry Sprinkle said, due to the smoke, the air quality skyrocketed to the "very unhealthy" level. Sprinkle strongly encouraged everyone to stay inside because the dense smoke is in the air, and experts aren't aware yet what is in the smoke chemical-wise.
The charred remains of the building are still deemed "unsafe" Friday and emergency personnel are on the scene monitoring hot spots. Fire officials say the fire was extremely fast moving and had temperatures at more than 2,000 degrees. Firefighters also had to deal with several addition spot fires and rooftop fires that were caused by embers. At a construction site off Liberty Row Drive near Fairview Road, near SouthPark Mall.
One user on Twitter, @TheHomeT, shared a video of the smoke plume emanating from the fire.
Unfortunately, neither set of firefighters was able to locate the two trapped workers. Investigators think the fire started in a trailer used to spray insulation into the building's walls, Johnson said. We’ve been advised to stay away from the SouthPark area until further notice and residents who live nearby, please stay inside. Please allow @charlottefire, @CMPD, and MEDIC time to do their work and protect our city.
Speaking outside the smoking building, the fire quickly engulfed the site even as workers fled. Johnson said the mostly wooden-frame apartment building caught fire quickly. Fire investigators have confirmed the fire began accidentally. The fire was started by a trailer that was spraying insulation material as part of the construction efforts. When conditions changed, the rescuers transmitted their own distress call and another company of firefighters was dispatched to rescue the first group.
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