Charlotte Fire Department

April 17, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. Battalions 3 and 7, Engines 20, 24, 16, 32, and Ladder 24 responded to a reported apartment fire at 1624 North Wind Place. Battalion 5 and Rescue 10 responded from the training academy as the working fire assignment. While enroute Engine 20 reported smoke showing; Additional calls to communications indicated that occupants may be trapped on the second floor. A second alarm was transmitted at 4:08, Battalion 1, Engines 2, 26, 14, and Ladder 16. Because of the nature of the call and companies being in close proximity a heavy box alarm was added to the assignment (E28, E30, L29, L32 responded from the training academy).

Engine 20 arrived and established command, reporting heavy fire from A Division (front of the structure) of a two story apartment building. Engine 16 arrived and established a water supply. Initial operations concentrated on locating the reported trapped occupants on the second floor. Accessible areas were quickly searched and no occupants were found at the upper windows as reported. Engine 16 was assigned to initiate a fire attack utilizing two – 1 ¾” lines; Rescue 10 and Ladder 16 were assigned primary search; Ladder 24 was assigned ventilation. Engine 24 stretched a third 1 ¾” line to cut off fire extension to the remainder of the building (Delta side).
Ground ladders were thrown in Divisions A and C to accomplish vertical ventilation. Additional assignments included Engine 14 as RIT; Battalion 7 assumed Division B and Battalion 1 assumed Division 2.

Due to the initial actions of the first arriving officer and an aggressive interior attack, the fire was confined to two units. Primary and secondary searches proved negative and a control time was given at 4:38 p.m. As of this writing, the cause is still undetermined. Due to portions of the building being reoccupied, a fire watch was assigned until 08:00 hours on April 18, 2009.

The two fire apartments were a complete loss and two others suffered some damage. Losses are estimated at $100K +. There were eight adults displaced by this incident. The apartment complex relocated these residents and the Red Cross provided them with essential items.

There were no civilian injuries at this incident. Smoke detectors were in use and working in adjacent units. There was one minor FF injury at this incident; he was transported to an area hospital for further evaluation; treated and released.