2 construction workers missing, 15 others rescued in 5-alarm apartment complex fire in the SouthPark area of south Charlotte

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Two construction workers remain missing and 15 other workers have been rescued as firefighters across Charlotte battled a massive five-alarm fire Thursday at a construction site in the SouthPark area of south Charlotte.

In addition to the multiple rescues, one person was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, and two others were evaluated at the scene, Medic confirmed.

The apartment complex fire broke out just after 9 a.m. Thursday, May 18, in the 7700 block of Liberty Row Drive. Large black clouds of smoke and flames could be seen from miles away.

Thick smoke and soot were filling the streets surrounding the immediate area. Many were observed watching the fire, wearing masks, and coughing as crews responded.

Emergency officials warned everyone to avoid the area as smoke was decreasing air quality.

More than 90 firefighters responded to the fire Thursday and battled the flames in conditions over 2,000 degrees, the Charlotte Fire chief said.

Charlotte Fire plan to remain at the scene indefinitely.

VIDEO | Latest on the ongoing 5-alarm fire here.

Crane Operator Rescue

A construction worker was observed trapped on top of a crane at the scene of the large fire in the SouthPark area on Thursday. The man has since been rescued.

He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Charlotte Fire said. The crane operator was one of 15 workers rescued from the construction site.

The Waxhaw Fire Chief told Queen City News the crane operator in SouthPark was rescued by first “putting plenty of water on the crane to ensure the metal didn’t twist or collapse.”

“Then firefighters climbed over 100 feet up the crane to help rescue the operator who had begun climbing down,” the chief said.

Medic reported that one person was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and two others were evaluated and refused transport. Medic said they remain at the scene providing support to firefighters.

VIDEO | Latest on Thursday’s rescue here.

Impacts Of Fire Observed Miles Away

Residents reported charred debris landing in neighborhoods roughly two miles away.

Charlotte Medic confirmed to Queen City News multiple units responded to the scene, as well as units from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, in addition to Charlotte Fire.

Crews continued to extinguish ‘spot’ and ‘rooftop fires’ in the area.

A public safety alert was sent out to nearby residents. “CFD is battling a large fire in SouthPark, do not call 911 unless you have an emergency.”

Second Fire Reported

Crews in Charlotte responded to a second separate fire just streets away from the original fire at the Rocket Mortgage building. An employee told Queen City News they were evacuated about an hour ago after debris from the nearby blaze fell onto their roof.

Road Closures

CMPD is assisting the Charlotte Fire Department with road closures in the area. Please avoid the SouthPark area and seek alternate routes. Drivers are asked to avoid:

• Liberty Row Drive
• Fairview Road
• Assembly Street
• Barclay Downs Drive
• Park South Drive

Westbound Fairview Road reopened to traffic between Sharon Road and Park Road as of 4:50 p.m., CMPD reported. The eastbound lanes remain closed.

Closures

A popular event, SouthPark After 5, was scheduled Thursday for 5 p.m. at Symphony Park. Organizers announced the event has been canceled.

“SouthPark Community Partners is deeply grateful for the bravery of our first responders and is continuing to monitor the effects of this morning’s five-alarm fire on Liberty Row Drive. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and missing, and we stand ready to serve as a resource for our partners and stakeholders in the aftermath of this event.

In light of the current circumstances, tonight’s SouthPark After Five event at Symphony Park has been canceled. We will share any additional information with the community in the coming days.”

Peppervine in Charlotte also announced on Thursday that due to the fires, they will be closed. “We apologize for any inconvenience,” they said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Impacted

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reports a number of school bus routes are impacted by the fire. Bus routes impacted are as follows:

• B1523
• B1990
• D150
• D329
• D868
• D998
• E1648
• E923
• M1022
• M1025
• M1079
• M13
• M1529
• M1541
• M16
• M1626
• M1638
• M1647
• M1651
• M1757
• M1764
• M1872
• M1891
• M2010
• M22
• M831
• M875
• M927
• M937
• P1740
• P1756
• P1952
• P1976
• P1981
• P212
• P231
• P27
• P642
• S1086
• S1111
• S62
• S867
• S988
• T1735
• T1745
• T1915
• T271
• T943

Routes will be impacted during school dismissal since some roads surrounding the area of the fire will be closed during this emergency. Impacted schools may include the following:

• Rea Farms STEAM Academy
• Charles H. Parker Academic Center
• Beverly Woods Elementary School
• Carmel Middle School
• Billingsville Elementary School
• Collinswood Language Academy
• Cotswold Elementary Schools
• Marie G. Davis School
• Alexander Graham Middle School
• Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School
• Jay M. Robinson Middle School
• McClintock Middle School
• Montclaire Elementary School
• Myers Park Traditional
• Myers Park High School
• Northwest School of the Arts
• Park Road Montessori
• Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology
• Performance Learning Center
• Pinewood Elementary School
• Randolph Middle School
• Selwyn Elementary School
• Sharon Elementary School
• South Academy of International Languages
• South Mecklenburg High School
• Starmount Academy of Excellence
• Charlotte Engineering Early College – UNCC
• J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori School

A relief tent has been set up to help the nearly 100 firefighters at the scene battling the blaze.