CHARLOTTE, NC - The first call Sunday morning (November 21, 2004) to Charlotte Fire Communications came from next-door neighbors reporting the house at 1600 Queens Road West was on fire.  It took over seventy Charlotte Firefighters more than ninety minutes to control the blaze in the vacant two-story home.  A firefighter from Station #2 was taken to an area hospital for heat exhaustion type injuries.  He was treated and released and will make a complete recovery.  The Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force responded to the scene and began their investigation while firefighters worked to control the fire.  The investigators processed the fire scene, eliminating all potentials accidental ignition sources.  As a result, the fire appears to be intentionally set.  At the time of the fire, the home was under major renovation.  Damage estimates by fire officials ar ein excess of one million dollars.

Investigators are asking for assistance from the public for information regarding the fire.  Persons providing infomration leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects in this case may be eligible for a reward through CRIMESTOPPERS and/or the North Carolina Arson Awareness Council.