Charlotte Fire Department

Charlotte NC – The Charlotte Fire Department responded to an apartment fire that sadly claimed the life of a Myers Park man the day after Christmas.

At 7:18 Monday evening December 26^th, Battalion 1 http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Fire/FireStations/Pages/battalion01.aspx, Engines 6, 1, 2, and Ladder 1 were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 1142 Queens Road in Myers Park http://g.co/maps/qf5eq.

Firefighters arrived on scene in less than 5 minutes and reported a working fire involving a large 2-story apartment building. Battalions 3 & 4, Engine 8, and Rescue 10 were dispatched to assist. A neighbor told firefighters they believed the lone occupant was still inside. Fire companies sprinted into action forcing entry into the single apartment, initiating a fire attack, and a performing hasty search.

Additional fire companies evacuated adjoining apartments and assisted with search efforts by providing vertical ventilation allowing smoke and super-heated gases to escape. This practice also tends to facilitate increased visibility. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and “Collyer’s Mansion” conditions inside the fire apartment, which hampered search efforts.

The fire was knocked down and the incident brought under control in 18 minutes. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, firefighters were unable to save the lone occupant and thus, the fire tragically claimed the life of a 55 year-old man.

The Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force spent much of the evening investigating the fire and deemed the fire "accidental" in nature and stated the most probable cause as candles. It was also noted the victim’s apartment was without electric utility. The victim's official cause of death will be determined by the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/medicalexaminer/Pages/default.aspx. In the wake of a loss of life, the monetary loss cannot truly be tallied, however structural and content damage is estimated at $75,000.

The Charlotte Fire Department extends their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, for this tragic loss. Your Charlotte Fire Department is saddened by such incidents and finds them extremely difficult to report, especially during the Christmas Holidays. We do so only to highlight safety http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm and stress the importance of using extreme caution when around or using any open flame device/appliance, regardless of the source. "Stay Alert, Stay Safe, Stay Alive"

Eternally committed to duty and service,

Mark Basnight

Public Information Officer

Office of Media and Public Affairs

Charlotte Fire Department