On March 25th at 09:28
hrs. Pineville and Carolina fire departments were alerted to a
possible apartment fire in Habersham Apartments. The call was
originally dispatched as an unknown medical due to a 911 call from a
non-English speaking individual. Medic 10 arrived first
on scene to confirm a working fire and the assignment was
quickly changed and both Pineville and Carolina fire departments
were notified and updated. Chief Griffin check enroute
and within a block of the Fire Station acknowledge a heavy column of
black smoke rising from the area of Habersham Apartments. Shortly after Assistant
Chief Michael Gerin, arrived on scene to find a 3 story apartment
building with heavy smoke and fire showing from the second and third
floor apartments and immediately called for a second alarm from the
Charlotte Fire Department. Chief Griffin and Pineville Engine 3
arrived within 5 minutes of dispatch and begun attacking the fire
with Chief Griffin taking command of the operations. Carolina
Engines 3 & 4 along with Charlotte Fire Engine 24, Engine 32, Engine 16, and
Ladder 16 arrived within a few minutes of each other and assisted
with pulling lines off the truck and attacking the fire from every
side. After relaying a 5" supply line to another hydrant, 3-2
1/2" lines and 2-1 3/4" lines were placed in service attacking the
fire. Ladder 16 was set up in front the structure and its
ladder pipe placed into service to help stop the spread of fire.
Damage estimated by fire
officials were put at approximately $400,000 with 10 units damaged
from water, smoke, and fire. No firefighters or civilians were
injured during the incident. The Mecklenburg County Fire
Marshal's Office is the lead investigating agency and reports that
the fire started in the rear area of this 3-story apartment
building. The cause remains under investigation.
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