CHARLOTTE — Several families have been displaced following a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex in north Charlotte.
The fire occurred just before 2:30 a.m. at Northlake Apartments just off High Glen Drive.
The Charlotte Fire Department said it took more than 40 firefighters about an hour to contain the fire to one building. However, the fire destroyed ten units.
An investigation revealed that the fire was accidentally started by discarded smoking materials.
Captain Jackie Gilmore described to Channel 9 the challenges his department faced with the fire, especially since so many people were sleeping in the middle of the night.
“Not only are you dealing with the fire itself and getting it under control, but here you’re dealing with people. We want to make sure we search all the apartments and make sure everyone is out,” Gilmore explained.
The Charlotte Fire Department said there were no injuries, however, $800,000 worth of damage has been reported.
One neighbor told Channel 9 that his family lost everything.
Resident Mandell Sawyer said he’s just thankful no one was hurt.
“It’s hard out here, man. Hopefully, things will get better for them,” Sawyer said.
He said the fire was a wake-up call, and he will be putting together a plan for his family in case something like this happens again.
“If a fire came, we’re on the third floor, so we made an escape plan to get the sheet and throw it across the balcony to climb down,” Sawyer explained.
The Red Cross and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Care and Control are offering assistance to the families and pets who have been displaced.
VIDEO: Home catches fire due to fireworks in northwest Charlotte, officials say
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