CHARLOTTE – A massive fire broke out in Charlotte’s SouthPark area, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air Thursday morning.
According to first responders, the fire is near Fairview Road and Piedmont Row Drive. The Charlotte Fire Department confirmed that a fourth alarm was called for the fire.
Former Channel 9 reporter Mark Becker said the fire is in an apartment building that was under construction.
Witnesses told Channel 9’s Joe Bruno that the fire started on the second floor. Construction workers said there were nearly 100 people working at the site at the time of the fire.
A construction worker told Channel 9 that a foam spraying machine caught fire and then spread to the floors above.
A Twitter user, @TheHomeT, shared a video of the column of smoke emanating from the fire.
Charlotte Fire asked residents not to call 911 unless it is an emergency.
No injuries have been reported, but paramedics confirmed they were at the scene along with police and firefighters.
A construction worker was seen on top of a crane at the scene of the fire. First responders were working to organize a rescue.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the following roads were closed while first responders worked the scene:
Liberty Row Drive Fairview Road Assembly StreetBarclay Downs DrivePark South Drive
Roads are closed until further notice.
A nearby retirement home, The Barclay, gathered its residents in the lobby but were not told to evacuate.
Few details have been made available at this time, but Channel 9 is working to get more information.
A raging fire is burning in SouthPark at an apartment complex that is under construction. Smoke is easily seen on Live Early Warning Doppler 9. Thick black smoke is moving west as easterly winds pick up. People who live west of the mall may want to stay inside., pic.twitter.com/DtWw5EfBpH
— Keith Monday (@kmondayWSOC9) May 18, 2023
STRUCTURE FIRE: 7700 block Liberty Row Dr. Charlotte Firefighters currently on scene battling the fire at the construction site. pic.twitter.com/ZWIBK1WuNq
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) May 18, 2023
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles shared a statement on Twitter asking everyone in the area to stay safe and let first responders work.
“Charlotteans, please stay safe and refrain from calling 911 unless it’s an emergency,” her tweet reads. “Our public safety officials are working very hard to control the 5-alarm fire in the SouthPark area. Everyone’s safety is of the utmost importance. We have been advised to stay away from the SouthPark area until further notice and residents living nearby please stay in. Allow @charlottefire, @CMPDand MEDIC time to do his job and protect our city.”
We have been advised to stay away from the SouthPark area until further notice and residents living nearby please stay inside. Allow it @charlottefire, @CMPDand MEDIC time to do his job and protect our city.
— Major Vi Lyles (@CLTMayor) May 18, 2023
This is breaking news, please check back for updates.
(I WILL SEE: RAW: Fire consumes bus at north Charlotte junkyard)
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