Fire in Charlotte: 15 rescued in massive blaze in SouthPark area

Table Of Content

• Deadly fire breaks out at construction site in SouthPark area of Charlotte
• Dr. Harry D. Cohen Explains How People Can "Be The Sun, Not The Salt" In New Book
• Update: 2 workers killed as massive fire destroys SouthPark apartment building under construction
• Man accused of shooting, killing Charlotte city bus driver pleads guilty
• More than 90 firefighters 'heroically' rescued 15 workers from massive South Park fire
• Bodies of 2 missing workers recovered at site of Charlotte 5-alarm fire

One of the firefighters heard the cries of people trapped on the sixth floor but couldn't see them through the smoke, Johnson said. A construction worker said the seven-story building was set to become an apartment community called Modera SouthPark, according to WCNC. “As was recently confirmed by the Charlotte Fire Department, two people working onsite are currently unaccounted for and several were rescued with some being transported to the hospital. We are deeply concerned for their wellbeing and will continue to follow the direction of the first responders on site to address the situation. Our thoughts are with the missing and injured individuals, and their loved ones at this time. (WBTV) – Firefighters rescued 15 workers while two remain unaccounted for after a massive fire broke out at a south Charlotte construction site Thursday morning, officials said.

Deadly fire breaks out at construction site in SouthPark area of Charlotte

Another worker told Channel 9 that a foam-spraying machine caught fire and then spread to the floors above. But as of Thursday afternoon, two workers who were in the area of the construction site where the fire initially broke out remain unaccounted for, the newspaper added. The Charlotte Fire Department says it is battling a massive blaze Thursday at a construction site in the North Carolina city’s SouthPark area. National building code allows for up to five floors of residential buildings to be constructed using fire retardant wood.

Dr. Harry D. Cohen Explains How People Can "Be The Sun, Not The Salt" In New Book

We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. Large clouds of smoke and flames shot hundreds of feet in the air from the area of Barclay Downs Drive and Fairview Road, near SouthPark Mall. Officials said firefighters were tasked with extinguishing the "very fast-moving" fire, which was over 2,000 degrees. We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the two people who were missing in the construction fire that took place yesterday.

Update: 2 workers killed as massive fire destroys SouthPark apartment building under construction

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Johnny Jennings had praise Friday for firefighters who helped bring the 15 workers to safety. The chief said investigators aren't sure what set off the blaze and haven't been able to do a thorough investigation of the trailer. Looking back at past five-alarm fires in Charlotte's history, a storage building was destroyed by a five-alarm fire in southwest Charlotte in July 2022.

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— Officials from the City of Charlotte held a media briefing Friday. Fire Chief Reginald Johnson confirmed that the fire was started by a spray insulation trailer on the ground floor. Chief Johnson also confirmed that two construction workers lost their lives in the fire.

One user on Twitter, @TheHomeT, shared a video of the smoke plume emanating from the fire.

Firefighters battling massive construction site fire in Charlotte - WXII12 Winston-Salem

Firefighters battling massive construction site fire in Charlotte.

Posted: Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Charlotte firefighters arrived within minutes of the first call, which was placed around 9 a.m. Thursday morning, according to the Charlotte Fire Department. Fire officials said over 90 firefighters fought the fire and rescued 15 workers from the burning construction site.

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Fire crews from across the Charlotte area were called in to assist the Charlotte Fire Department. The fire was visible for miles with large plumes of smoke filling the air all over Charlotte. One person near the fire said they started yelling out of their window but firefighters couldn't hear them. Construction workers told the Charlotte Fire Department that there are still two construction workers that are unaccounted for. The deaths of Sherrill and Holmes came after an apartment complex still under construction burst into flames on Thursday morning after a spray foam insulation trailer caught fire.

CMPD is asking that drivers avoid Liberty Row Drive, Assembly Street and Barclay Downs Drive until further notice. According to the chief, it was a fast-moving fire that climbed to temperatures well over 2,000 degrees. According to Charlotte Fire, firefighters were called to Liberty Row Drive to battle the fire. “I was hoping but just from the (Facebook Live), and the way the room filled up with smoke, I didn’t see it being any hope at that time,” she said. Not too long after that, Demonte Sherrill’s boss told Campbell his son didn’t make it out of the fire alive.

The charred remains of the building are still deemed "unsafe" Friday and emergency personnel are on the scene monitoring hot spots. Fire officials say the fire was extremely fast moving and had temperatures at more than 2,000 degrees. Firefighters also had to deal with several addition spot fires and rooftop fires that were caused by embers. At a construction site off Liberty Row Drive near Fairview Road, near SouthPark Mall.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles identified one as Demonte Sherill, a father of four. The blaze also involved a building in a construction zone which partially collapsed, the Charlotte Observer reported. WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the issues facing the communities we serve.