Update: 2 workers killed as massive fire destroys SouthPark apartment building under construction

Table Of Content

• Five-alarm fires in Charlotte
• injured in 2-alarm apartment fire in south Charlotte
• ‘A good man’: Father of 4 dies in construction site fire in SouthPark, family says
• WCNC would like to send you push notifications about the latest news and weather.
• CFD: 15 workers rescued, 2 unaccounted for in Charlotte construction site fire
• Bodies of 2 missing workers recovered at site of Charlotte 5-alarm fire
• Charlotte fire: 2 unaccounted for, 15 rescued as crews battle five-alarm blaze in SouthPark

Within hours of the fire breaking out, firefighters said 15 people were rescued, but two were unaccounted for. Mayor Lyles confirmed the death of Demonte Sherrill, which other sources had also previously confirmed. Walter Morris said his nephew was in a construction crane above the site and could not get down initially because the flames were so high.

Five-alarm fires in Charlotte

"We watched it start to smoke gradually, and then we saw the smoke get bigger, and then, initially, the front of the building caught on fire," the witness described. At that point, they knew they needed to get everyone out. Workers told Channel 9′s Hunter Sáenz many people started yelling “fire” to do what they could to tell everyone to evacuate. But the flames just got too bad and they had to make a run for it themselves.

injured in 2-alarm apartment fire in south Charlotte

One user on Twitter, @TheHomeT, shared a video of the smoke plume emanating from the fire.

‘A good man’: Father of 4 dies in construction site fire in SouthPark, family says

Quiroja said many of the workers are without their jobs and their tools, since they were forced to leave those behind when they rushed out. “They started getting out, they started screaming ‘get out, get out because the building is on fire,’” he described to Sáenz. Sáenz spoke with Alejandro Quiroja, who was working on the building’s metal framing on the first floor.

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Officials said the blaze was started by a grill on a second-floor balcony. “I saw the smoke when I first got home and my first thought I have a dog that I love terribly and I booked it inside,” one resident said. “I’m doing the dishes, I look out I see this billowing smoke and then I look closer at the window and I see these flames and I just started screaming,” another said. Paramedics said two people were evaluated with non-life-threatening injuries. CHARLOTTE — Firefighters with the Charlotte Fire Department battled a two-alarm fire in south Charlotte Sunday afternoon.

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Fire crews from across the Charlotte area were called in to assist the Charlotte Fire Department. The fire was visible for miles with large plumes of smoke filling the air all over Charlotte. One person near the fire said they started yelling out of their window but firefighters couldn't hear them. Construction workers told the Charlotte Fire Department that there are still two construction workers that are unaccounted for. The deaths of Sherrill and Holmes came after an apartment complex still under construction burst into flames on Thursday morning after a spray foam insulation trailer caught fire.

CFD: 15 workers rescued, 2 unaccounted for in Charlotte construction site fire

Unfortunately, neither set of firefighters was able to locate the two trapped workers. Investigators think the fire started in a trailer used to spray insulation into the building's walls, Johnson said. We’ve been advised to stay away from the SouthPark area until further notice and residents who live nearby, please stay inside. Please allow @charlottefire, @CMPD, and MEDIC time to do their work and protect our city.

Bodies of 2 missing workers recovered at site of Charlotte 5-alarm fire

This is the worst thing that can happen in our industry and there are no words that can express the emotions we are experiencing from this loss. SouthPark Mall was closed due to the proximity of the fire and motorists were advised to stay away from the area as several roads were closed. Officials asked the public to not call 911 unless there is an absolute emergency. Both men were part of the construction crew working on the upscale apartment buildings when the fire broke out.

(WBTV) - Leaders from the City of Charlotte provided media with an update regarding Thursday’s massive SouthPark fire on Friday afternoon. "His family said he was a hard worker, a loving father and a family man," said Lyles. "We grieve with you, especially with Mr. Sherill's children." A friend of one of the men who was killed in the fire, 30-year-old Demonte Sherrill, told WCNC Charlotte they fear he died when the building collapsed on top of him.

According to its website, Modera SouthPark is a wood-frame, podium-style community consisting of twin buildings that make up more than 200 apartment homes. They noticed the side of the building was smoking, so they started yelling out of the window, but the firefighters couldn't hear them. The witness said, at that point, they started taking video of the smoke. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is asking people to avoid the SouthPark area so their crews can respond to the fire efficiently. Drivers are being asked by CMPD to avoid Liberty Drive, Assembly Street, Barclay Downs Drive and Park South Drive until all flames are contained. By 6 p.m., Fairview Road was reopened during the congested evening commute.

Photos tweeted by the department show flames and heavy black smoke shooting out of what appears to be a residential building under construction as crews attempt to battle the blaze. Another company of firefighters battled dangerous flames in order to successfully rescue a worker trapped atop a construction crane. Before that worker could climb down, firefighters brought him "protective equipment" to help him manage the intense heat of the crane and its ladder during his descent.

NC Occupation Safety and Health (OSHA) has begun an investigation. Charlotte firefighters at the scene said a number of federal agencies are also on standby to assist with the investigation. As a precautionary measure, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said all students and staff stayed inside with doors and windows closed to minimize exposure to smoke. The district also stated that road closures impacted transportation routes home. A full list of impacted bus routes and schools can be found here.

Speaking outside the smoking building, the fire quickly engulfed the site even as workers fled. Johnson said the mostly wooden-frame apartment building caught fire quickly. Fire investigators have confirmed the fire began accidentally. The fire was started by a trailer that was spraying insulation material as part of the construction efforts. When conditions changed, the rescuers transmitted their own distress call and another company of firefighters was dispatched to rescue the first group.

Fire officials said crews had several "maydays," which means crews were either trapped or had access issues when escaping. In total, 15 workers were rescued from the site and no firefighters were injured. A construction worker on the scene of the massive fire told WCNC Charlotte that he and his crew were working in the building before the massive blaze.