Apartment Fire That Left Families Displaced Was Intentional: CMPD

CHARLOTTE, NC — Fire investigators say an early morning apartment fire that displaced five residents and caused more than $200,000 in damage was intentionally set.

More than 50 firefighters battled the blaze at the Hunters Pointe apartment complex, located at 1800 block Prospect Drive in the Hidden Valley neighborhood for nearly an hour before it was extinguished, according to Charlotte fire officials.

“During the investigation, members of the CMPD’s Arson Task Force and the Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force determined that the fire had been intentionally set which displaced five residents and damaged an office,” Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department said Thursday afternoon.

Firefighters spotted the fire around 4:30 a.m. as they were returning from another call, according to WSOC. When they arrived at the apartment complex, smoke was emerging from a building and they saw heavy flames.

“Upon arrival, CFD Engine 22 reported an apartment building with flames through the roof and immediately requested a second alarm,” CMPD said in a statement Thursday.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Arson Unit and the Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force have launched an investigation into the fire, CMPD said Thursday afternoon.
Four apartments were damaged in the fire, six people were displaced and 13 apartments are without power, the Red Cross told the station, the station said.

A CATS city bus was brought to the scene to give residents a warm place to sit while crews worked to put out the fire, WBTV reported.

Update: 2 Alarm Structure Fire; 1800 Block Prospect Dr; Apartment; fire crews still working to bring fire under control pic.twitter.com/0UjCG2aKfV
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) March 7, 2019

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