Charlotte Fire Department

At 11:35 am on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, (9) units from the Charlotte Fire Department (CFD) including (4) Engines, (1) Ladder, (1) Heavy Rescue, (2) Battalion Chiefs, and (1) Fire Investigator responded to reports of a fire at the Yorktown Apartments located at 5620 Flagstaff Drive. Firefighters from nearby Station #12 were first to arrive at 11:35 am and reported heavy smoke showing from the 2^nd floor of a two-story apartment building.

Firefighters quickly deployed hoselines into the fire apartment and knocked down the fire while other teams of firefighters searched the building and provided ventilation to allow heat, smoke, and super-heated gases to escape. Twenty-three firefighters were needed to bring the apartment fire under control in 13 minutes. The family which occupied the apartment unit where the fire began were away from home at the time of the fire, but returned to find that firefighters were able to save the majority of their Christmas presents.

Fire Investigators determined the cause of the fire to be electrical in nature resulting in an estimated $20,000 in damage. A total of two families were displaced and no one was injured. The American Red Cross (Carolinas Chapter) responded to assist those displaced and property management relocated the affected families to vacant units.

Submitted by:

Rob Brisley | Captain

Charlotte Fire Department

Office of Public Affairs

Mark Basnight | Captain

Office of Public Affairs

Contributor