Charlotte Fire Department

Just before 11 a.m. on Monday May 4^th, the Charlotte Fire Department Communications Center received a call reporting a fire outside a structure at the International Paper Company located at 210 E. 28^th Street in North Charlotte. The facility is located off the major thoroughfare of N. Tryon Street; the area consists of primarily commercial or industrial occupancies. Given the history and occupancy type, a box alarm assignment consisting of Battalion 2, Engines 7, 4, 11, and Ladder 4 were dispatched. The complex which consisted of two buildings divided into three areas of operation is used to receive, process, and ship recycled paper product. The fire was located behind building #1 used for office space and the holding area for processed product. Building #2 was used for the intake and processing of product. Both structures were large light-weight metal buildings with heavy fire loads.

Firefighters from nearby Station 4 were first to arrive and reported a large pile of paper product on fire with flames threatening a structure. A brush fire in an adjacent wooded area caused by flying embers was also reported. A working fire assignment was transmitted consisting of Battalion 3, Engine 64 and Rescue 3 upon receiving this report. Fire officials were told all company personnel were able to self-evacuate without incident. E-4 established command and took a position in the rear of the structure (Division C). E-7 was next to arrive and given instructions to establish a water supply and lay a supply line to E-4. Ladder 4 took a position next to E-4 and prepared for an elevated master stream operation. E-4 stretched an 1 ¾ attack line to initiate the fire attack. After establishing a patent water supply, E-7 stretched an additional attack line from the front of the structure (Division A) through the complex to rear in an effort to protect the exposure.

Fire continued to spread in nearby brush and the fire involving the paper product was intensifying because of the large amount of product and persistent windy conditions. A 2^nd Alarm was transmitted at 10:55 a.m. bringing Battalion 5, Engines 1, 8, 27, and Ladder 1 to the scene. Ladder 4 began an elevated master stream operation and seemed to achieve a knock-down, but the fire had now involved a large amount of paper product that would be inaccessible until additional hoselines could be placed and forklifts were made available to move product.

At 11:07 a.m. a 3^rd Alarm was transmitted bringing Battalion 3, Engines 15, 2, 22, Ladder 18, Brush 31, and Field Comm totaling more than 65 firefighters summoned to the scene. After two additional supply lines utilizing five inch large diameter hose were established and additional hoselines placed into service, firefighters were able to knock-down the main body of fire and declare the incident under control in approximately 70 minutes. Fire companies remained on scene for several hours to put out hot spots. Fire Investigators ruled this fire accidental and damage estimates were not readily available.