One dead in fire that heavily damaged uptown Charlotte condos, firefighters say
One person died in a fire that heavily damaged four condos in uptown Charlotte Tuesday, firefighters said.
Officials have not yet released the person’s name or identified the cause of the fire — which is still under investigation, according to Charlotte Fire Capt. Jackie Gilmore.
Police will likely enlist the Red Cross to help the 16 residents displaced from Springfield Square Condominiums in uptown’s Fourth Ward neighborhood, Gilmore said during a news conference.
Clouds of black smoke billowed above Charlotte’s skyline when paramedics and firefighters responded to several 911 calls for the condos at 425 West 8th St. at about 1:20 p.m., officials said.
It took 60 firefighters about an hour to put out the fire, according to Gilmore and emergency radio obtained via Broadcastify. Twelve units were affected, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.
By 3:30 p.m. some residents lined North Graham Street, walking dogs, holding cats and staring at the charred and partially collapsed building.
Many weren’t sure if their homes were affected. One saw the fire from a Ring doorbell camera and came home from work. By 4 p.m., police and first responders had yet to give them any information.
Hannah Bribotto was working from home when she looked out her window to see firefighters darting toward her, she said. She stepped onto her porch to see the units above her engulfed in flames and smoke. Bribotto grabbed Kola, her 2-year-old dog, and stationed at a curb on the other side of the street. She held on to her neighbor’s dog — who was rescued by firefighters — while its owner was at work.
She sat there for hours while on the phone with her dad.
“I feel like I’ve been watching a movie,” she said, “but it’s my life.”
Cristina Miller was among the displaced residents Tuesday, but her orange cat, Simba, did not join the band of pets lining the street.
She was also working from home when she saw debris falling onto her balcony. She thought there had been an earthquake, she said.
Miller looked up to see the unit above her go up in flames in an instant. She sprinted for the front door, but Simba hid upstairs. She looked for him as long as she could before she had to leave the crumbling building, she said. Miller think he may be hiding in the area and are asking people to look out for him.
North Graham Street was still closed between 6th Street and 10th Street at 4 p.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported. First responders were still putting out the fire as heavy smoke came out of the building around 1:45 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
