September 6, 2006

Charlotte firefighters from the south and west sides were busy late Tuesday night battling two unrelated structure fires. Just after 9:30 p.m., neighbors and passersby called 911 to report a large house under construction on fire. Fire companies from Station 24 on Pineville-Matthews Road and Station 32 in Ballantyne reported flames visible from nearly a mile away. First arriving fire crews found a 10,000 square foot house with about half involved in fire. A second alarm brought a total of more than forty firefighters to the scene. Two aerial apparatus were put into operation quickly, flowing over a thousand gallons of water a minute to suppress the fire and protect the homes on either side. Fire officials estimate the damage at approximately $3 million. One firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion; he was treated and released. Charlotte fire investigators completed the on scene investigation Wednesday afternoon.  The cause of this fire was ruled to be accidental due to a problem with an extension cord that was being used to provide power for construction equipment within the home 

 

It took over 40 Charlotte firefighters nearly and hour to control the flames that damaged this large home in South Charlotte

Also late Tuesday, firefighters from Station 10 on Wilkinson Boulevard arrived within 2 minutes of the 911 call to see flames blowing out from two first floor rooms at the Economy Inn, located at 2403 Wilkinson Boulevard. This fire was controlled in about 15 minutes. Firefighters and police officers quickly evacuated over a dozen occupants from nearby rooms. There were no civilian injuries. Fire investigators have determined that this fire was intentionally set.

Capt Rob Brisley  704.336.2094

Firefighters from station # 10 apply the first water to a burning Motel room that was set on fire in West Charlotte