On March 12, 2011 Cornelius and Huntersville Fire Departments were dispatched to Nautique Blvd for a working apartment fire. While enroute dispatch advised that one occupant may still be inside the fire apartment. Captain John Lang arrived on scene and advised all units that there was smoke visible from the third floor and assumed command. Engine 4 arrived and sent personnel to the fire apartment to conduct a primary search. Hook & Ladder 44 arrived and advanced the apartment line to the fire floor. Engine 3 arrived, secured a water supply and laid the supply line to Engine 4. Deputy Chief Guerry Barbee arrived on Engine 3 and assumed command from Captain Lang. Captain Lang was then assigned Division 3. Engine 4’s crew advised that the primary was complete but they could not locate the fire. Rescue 4’s crew arrived and proceeded to the second floor to check for fire and conduct a primary. Huntersville Engine 22 arrived and was given the assignment to evacuate and complete a primary on the entire structure. At that time Engine 4’s crew advised they had located the fire and that it had been extinguished by the sprinkler system; however they still had heavy smoke conditions in the fire apartment. Three sprinkler heads had been activated. A control time was then issued at 22:00. Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal 1100 arrived and controlled the sprinkler system. Numerous crews were then given the task of salvage on all three floors. Command was advised that Cornelius PD had been dispatched to the fire apartment earlier in the evening due to a dispute between roommates. At that time the on duty Fire Marshal was contacted and Division 3 was advised to secure the fire apartment because of a possible police matter. The apartments below the fire apartment suffered water damage from the sprinkler system. Aggressive salvage operations were conducted in those two apartments. The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted the investigation. Cornelius units cleared the scene at 23:45.
The cause of this fire has been determined to be an intentionally set arson fire. The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal and Cornelius PD are working to gain all information needed to complete their investigation.
RESPONDING UNITS:
- Cornelius: E4, E3, E6, H&L44, L4, R4, Fireboat 4 (29 Personnel)
- Huntersville: E22, R1
- Davidson: E1
- Medic: 2 ALS Units
- Meck. Co. Fire Marshal: 1100, 1103
