In the evening of March 27, 2008 Cornelius was dispatched to a brush fire behind the Original Mattress Company in the Shops on the Green shopping center. Cornelius units arrived on scene and found a brush fire in a bed of pine needles behind the store. High winds fanned the brush fire causing it to spread the length of the entire commercial strip mall in seconds, threatening the building in numerous areas. Cornelius Engine 3 arrived and began attacking the fire.Cornelius 17 (Baker) assumed command and upgraded the assignment to a structure fire bringing Davidson and Gilead. Engine 5, Engine 1 and Brush 6 arrived on scene and assisted Engine 3's crew. Engine 5 was instructed to drop its crew and reverse lay a supply line. Cornelius 10 (riding Engine 5) made a 360 on the building and advised Command that the fire had extended into three large refrigeration units in the B/C corner.  Cornelius 10 (G. Barbee) then assumed command. Crews from Engines 3, 5, 1 and Brush 6 continued suppression. Ladder 4 arrived and set up in the A division and Davidson Engine 1 was advised to secure a secondary water supply for Ladder 4.Gilead Engine 2 arrived and began checking all storefronts in the fire building for additional extension. Suppression units advised command that the refrigeration units were not actually connected to the building and that there was not extension into main building. An additional spot fire started between two other buildings in another natural area. Crews from Brush 6 and Davidson Engine 1 handled the second fire and kept it from extending into the structure with the exception of two HVAC systems.The original fire was contained to the refrigeration units and two storage buildings. A control time was given approximately thirty minutes into the incident. The fire was caused by children playing with fire works.

Responding Units:

Cornelius: E3, E5, E1, L4, R4, B6, Ops 1
Davidson: E1, E2, L1
Gilead: E2
Meck. Co. Fire Marshal: 1100,1102,1104,1109

Move Ups:

Mt. Mourne to Davidson
Gilead E1 to Cornelius Station 2
Davidson E1 to Cornelius Station 1
East Lincoln and Long Creek to Gilead