Charlotte Fire Crews Rescue Two People, Cat in 3-Alarm Apartment Fire
Published on July 29, 2025
A tattered American flag remains hanging from a third-floor balcony, a symbol of resilience after the devastating 3-alarm fire.
In the early hours of the morning, Charlotte Fire crews braved intense heat, heavy fire, and unstable conditions to rescue two residents and a cat from a burning three-story apartment building in the 6400 block of English Hills Drive.
The alarm was received at 2:35 a.m., and Engine 65 arrived on scene at 2:39 a.m. with heavy fire showing from the second and third floors. A second alarm was immediately called to bring additional resources.
Aerial view of the severe damage caused by the early morning fire that ripped through the apartment building’s upper floors.
Within minutes, firefighters forced entry into multiple apartment units, kicking in doors and conducting rapid searches to locate anyone who might be trapped. Other teams quickly positioned hoselines for aggressive fire suppression, attacking flames from both inside and outside the building. At 2:47 a.m., as structural conditions worsened, the incident commander ordered all crews to evacuate the building and maintain awareness of potential collapse zones. By 2:53 a.m., firefighters re-entered the structure, continuing their search and rescue operations despite intense heat and smoke conditions.
A third alarm was struck at 3:17 a.m. to bring in additional firefighters as prolonged operations and extreme heat took a toll on crews. Amid these efforts, Charlotte Fire rescued two residents from the burning building. At approximately 4:20 a.m., a cat was also rescued and safely reunited with its owners.
Charlotte Fire crews work through intense flames and smoke during the early morning rescue operation.
The fire, which originated on a second-floor rear balcony, was brought under control at 4:22 a.m. In total, 20 apartment units were initially affected, with six units sustaining significant fire damage and partial structural collapse, while another six were left unstable due to structural compromise. An American flag hanging from a third-floor balcony survived the fire, though its edges are now tattered, a striking reminder of the building’s destruction and resilience.
The estimated property and content loss is approximately $880,000. No injuries to civilians or Charlotte Fire personnel were reported. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to displaced residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is currently classified as undetermined.
The aftermath of the blaze shows the extensive structural damage to the building’s roof and upper apartments.
“Charlotte Firefighters demonstrated tremendous courage and determination this morning,” said Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson. “From forcing doors to search for residents to making rescues in dangerous conditions, their commitment to saving lives and protecting this community was clear. I’m proud of every firefighter who responded.”