Charlotte Apartment Fire Claims One Life, Displaces All Residents

An adult male died following a two-alarm fire early Thursday morning at an apartment building in the 8500 block of Winter Oaks Lane. The fire displaced all residents of the multi-unit building. 

Charlotte Fire received the initial 911 call at 5:27 a.m. reporting an active fire with people still inside. Due to the urgency of the call, the incident was immediately upgraded to a working fire. Engine 20 arrived first on scene and encountered heavy fire pushing through the roof. Residents were still evacuating or in need of rescue. 

Additional units quickly arrived, and command declared operations to be in rescue mode. Engine 16 located and rescued the initial two burn patients from inside the building. 

At 5:36 a.m., the incident was upgraded to a second alarm to bring in more personnel and resources. Crews continued active search and rescue efforts while working to suppress the fire. By 5:49 a.m., a primary search of the entire building was completed, and all remaining residents were confirmed to have been safely evacuated or rescued. 

The fire was brought under control at 6:04 a.m. 

A total of six patients, including two children, were transported to area hospitals. Two patients were transferred to the Wake Forest Burn Center for specialized care. Tragically, one adult victim did not survive. 

Due to the extent of the damage, all residents of the building have been displaced. The American Red Cross has established a shelter to assist those affected. 

The Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force is working to determine the cause of the fire. Initial estimates place property and content loss at more than $100,000. 

“Our hearts go out to the family and everyone affected by this tragic loss,” said Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson. “We are proud of the quick and courageous actions of our firefighters, who responded within minutes, performed rescues, and brought the fire under control in a challenging situation.”