Two fires leave heavy damage in Kannapolis

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 3:09 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

KANNAPOLIS — Firefighters helped a resident out of a burning mobile home Wednesday just before flames completely engulfed the structure.

The blaze heavily damaged the Haley Street mobile home, forcing its residents to seek shelter elsewhere.

Shortly after 4 p.m., the Kannapolis Fire Department responded to 905-A Haley St. for a working structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames throughout the single-wide mobile home. They worked quickly to help one resident get out of the burning structure.

"There was a good deal of fire coming from the home," Battalion Chief Tracy Winecoff said. "Upon arrival, we could see smoke and flames spreading quickly through the house and one resident standing in the doorway. Within minutes of assisting her to safety, the home was completely engulfed in flames."

The fire department responded to the scene with 12 apparatus and a total of 20 personnel. The Landis Fire Department and the Odell Volunteer Fire Department assisted with district coverage. Cabarrus County EMS provided medical assessments for both residents.

The home and its contents suffered significant heat and smoke damage, the Fire Department said in a press release. The residents will be staying with family members. The Cabarrus County American Red Cross will be working with them.

Fire Investigators remained on the scene Wednesday evening investigating the cause of the fire.

In a second fire, at 8:41 p.m., Kannapolis Fire Department was called to 150 Waco Ave. for a working structure fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene at 8:45 p.m. to find heavy smoke and flames coming from approximately 75 percent of the single-story home.

“The fire was fully involved when we arrived.” said Battalion Chief Tracy Winecoff. “Because of the amount of fire, we immediately began a defensive fire attack.”

Kannapolis Fire Department responded to the scene with 13 apparatus and a total of 25 personnel. Landis and Odell Fire Departments assisted on the scene, as well as Cabarrus County EMS and Cabarrus Rescue. China Grove Fire Department, Cold Water Fire Department and Enochville Fire & Rescue provided district coverage.

A 73 year-old woman and her three adult children were at the home at the time of the fire. Luckily, all were able to escape. One of the residents had to use a window as a secondary exit.

The home and its contents suffered significant damage. The residents will be staying with nearby relatives. The Cabarrus County American Red Cross will be assisting the family.

An electrical problem was determined to be the cause of the fire.