On Tuesday March 9th, 2010 at 3:00 am (31) units from the Charlotte Fire Department including (15) Engine Companies, (3) Ladder Companies, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, (4) Battalion Chiefs, (2) Deputy Chiefs, (6) Fire Investigators, and Fire Chief Jon Hannan responded to reports of a fire at the Charlotte Woods Apartments located at 1118 Scaleybark Road in South Charlotte. Firefighters from nearby station #12 were first to arrive at 3:04 am and reported heavy smoke conditions at a large 4-story apartment building. The structure was comprised of 70-units and according to the Charlotte Observer is at least 35 years old.
A 2nd alarm was transmitted at 3:06 am and crews established a water source from a nearby fire hydrant and advanced a hose line into the structure to search for the fire. The crews of Engine & Ladder 16 began a search of the 1st floor units awaking many of the occupants who were still asleep. Ladder 16 deployed the aerial device in anticipation of roof ventilation and rescue operations. As additional firefighters arrived on scene additional hose lines were deployed as this well-entrenched fire extended to the upper floors.
The crew of Rescue 10, assigned to search the basement, reported high heat conditions and requested an additional hose line to be deployed to their location. Engine 30 made the basement with a 2 1/2” hose line and joined the crew of Rescue 10. A 3rd alarm was transmitted at 3:33 pm. Ground ladders were deployed to assist firefighters rescue occupants from their balconies because the primary stairwell was cut-off by fire and smoke conditions. Firefighters made hast to a report of an elderly woman trapped in her 3rd floor unit and rescued her under heavy smoke conditions. Despite firefighters efforts this stubborn fire continued to burn out of control in void spaces.
Heavy smoke continued to issue from the structure as firefighters rescued several people from balconies on the 3rd floor. The crew of Engine 64 reported heavy fire conditions in the attic and requested additional hose lines to be deployed. The crews of Engines 26 & 28 made hast to this request and deployed additional attacks to the 3rd floor in an attempt to extinguish and cut the fire off. Firefighters were again confronted with heavy fire conditions in the hallways of the 3rd floor. Shortly thereafter the fire broke through the roof of the structure and a 4th alarm was transmitted at 4:17 am. Fire crews working in the attic reported a knockdown of the fire, but crews on the 2nd floor reported heavy fire conditions on the 2nd floor. Fire crews were able to knockdown this fire in just a few minutes and began the tedious process of extinguishing hotspots.
Close to 90 firefighters were called to bring this persistent fire under control in 2 hours and 37 minutes. (1) Person was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries and numerous domestic pets were safely removed. As a result of the fire, the occupants of approximately (60) units were displaced and are receiving aid from the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control Division are caring for family pets until they can be reunited with their owners. Charlotte Fire Investigators determined the fire began in the ground floor storage room and was caused by improperly discarded smoking material. The fire caused an estimated $1,000,000 in damage.
Submitted by:
Mark Basnight | Public Information Officer
Office of Public Affairs
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