A fire has caused extensive damage at a construction site in south Charlotte, North Carolina, where a seven-story apartment building was being built. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, has left at least two construction workers unaccounted for and one person seriously injured. The fire reportedly broke out in a parking garage being built at the Modera SouthPark development. Witnesses reported debris being found up to two miles away, and smoke from the fire was picked up on nearby airport radar.
Over 90 firefighters responded to the five-alarm blaze, which Joseph Ramey, Charlotte Fire Division Chief, described as “very fast-moving” and challenging due to high-heat conditions and wooden materials. Fifteen construction workers were rescued from the site, which was to become an apartment complex, while two others have been reported missing. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation is underway.
The local authorities have issued a statement asking people to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Streets surrounding the construction site have been temporarily closed to allow emergency responders to contain the blaze. The Mayor of Charlotte, Vi Lyles, expressed appreciation towards first responders for their efforts in managing the fire and ensuring the safety of all residents.
The Modera SouthPark development was set to be a 239-unit luxury multifamily community, with the first move-ins scheduled for spring 2024. This incident has sparked calls for improved health and safety standards across the US construction industry. It follows a similar blaze at a construction site in Los Angeles, California, earlier in the week.
The crane operator working at the Modera SouthPark development was injured during the fire but was said to be in a stable condition in the hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. Several construction workers had also reportedly been trapped in the building during the rescue attempts. However, they were eventually saved by the firefighters.
At this point, it is unknown how the fire started or how extensive the damage to the building is. Video footage of the incident shows large clouds of smoke rising up into the area, and residents in the vicinity have been advised to stay inside and avoid any contact with emergency services unless it’s deemed a genuine emergency.
This construction site fire in Charlotte, North Carolina, highlights the importance of safety regulations in the construction industry. The local authorities must make sure that construction companies comply with these regulations and establish protocols to ensure the safety of workers on construction sites.
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