Charlotte Fire Department

On April 30^th, 2011 at 1:53 PM (6) Companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, (2) Fire Investigators, and (2) Battalions Chiefs under the direction of Battalion Chief Mike Wilson were dispatched for a reported building fire at 6237 Rumple Road, Bible Presbyterian Church. Due to numerous 911 calls and a smoke column visible from two miles away, a working fire assignment was added at 1:54 PM.

Firefighters from nearby Engine Co. 22 arrived at 1:55 PM and reported heavy fire in a one-story vacant apartment building behind the church sanctuary. A large brush fire was also spreading from the fire building and threatening exposures. Fire crews engaged in an intense firefight with the well-entrenched fire and were beginning to make progress, but conditions were not tenable enough for search crews to enter. Firefighters used an aerial master stream to control the brush fires and protect an exposed shed building.

As conditions improved crews enter the structure from windows and searched the building, the search proved negative. Firefighters were resilient until all smoldering fires were extinguished. (31) Firefighters were needed to knockdown the fire and bring the incident under control in 23 minutes. There were no injuries to firefighters or citizens, and the building was a total loss.

Fire Investigators determined this fires as well as the fire, which occurred on March 30th, 2011, were intentionally set. Anyone with information pertaining to the cause of these fires is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704.334.1600.

Eternally committed to duty & service,

Mark Basnight | Captain

Public Information Officer

Office of Media & Public Affairs

Charlotte Fire Department

On April 29th at 11:59 a.m. (9) Companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, (2) Deputy Chiefs, (4) Battalion Chiefs, and (3) Fire Investigators responded to a structure fire at 2527 Arnold Drive.

The initial call for service was to check an appliance in an apartment. While fire companies were enroute additional information was received from property residents indicating a possible kitchen fire. Firefighters from neighborhood Fire Station 15 arrived quickly and reported heavy smoke issuing from a 2-story apartment building comprised of (8) units, four units on the front side and four on the rear side.

Crews sprinted into action advancing hoselines into the fire apartment and searched the structure to ensure all occupants had exited the safely. (48) Firefighters were summoned to knockdown the fire and bring the incident under control in 11 minutes. The occupant of the fire apartment indicated she had been cooking and could have left the stove on. Fire Investigators confirmed the cause to be food left cooking on the stove. The fire caused an estimated $30,000 in damage to due fire, smoke, water, and fire control. A family of (6) was displaced as a result of fire.

Food left cooking unattended remains the number one cause of residential fires. Charlotte Fire Officials remind the population to:

*Stay Alert – Never leave the kitchen while food is cooking on the stovetop.

*Stay Safe - Avoid distractions while cooking.

*Stay Alive – Avoid cooking when you are sleepy or tired.

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Eternally committed to duty & service,

Mark Basnight | Captain

Public Information Officer

Office of Media & Public Affairs

Charlotte Fire Department