CHARLOTTE - Just before 11:30 pm Friday night, a smoke alarm sounded in the apparatus bay of Charlotte Fire Station 8, located at 1201 The Plaza, alerting firefighters to a fire. While investigating the alarm, members discovered their own apparatus floor was filled with smoke. The captain of Engine 8 quickly contacted Fire Communications and notified them of the fire.

Nearby fire companies were immediately dispatched and arrived to find heavy smoke conditions pouring out of the fire station, commonly known as the "Double Trouble," located near Central Avenue to protect the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood.

The eight Charlotte firefighters who were on duty escaped unharmed and worked feverishly along side the arriving firefighters. Numerous hose lines were advanced into the station to stop the blaze, which destroyed Engine 8, one of two trucks housed at the fire station. Quick action by members of the Charlotte Fire Department kept the fire from reaching the main part of the fire station. Charlotte fire officials put damage estimates to the fire truck, equipment, and station at approximately $500K.

The 45-plus firefighters who responded worked throughout the night to clean and repair the damaged station as Charlotte fire investigators examined the destroyed fire truck, which has been in service since 1994.

One firefighter was checked and treated for minor injuries and returned to duty. Both fire companies, Engine 8 and Engine 64, will remain in service as a reserve truck was delivered within hours to allow the Plaza-Midwood firefighters to remain at their watch. The Station 8 firefighters continue to respond to calls from their smoke stained fire station, and Saturday Engine 8 was on the second alarm response to an apartment fire in north Charlotte.