KANNAPOLIS — The American Red Cross stepped in Monday evening to assist 15 people displaced by an apartment building fire at Royal Oak Gardens near the Walmart Supercenter.
No significant injuries were reported, but several occupants in a corner apartment had to jump from a second-story window before firefighters arrived.
The 4:17 p.m. fire significantly damaged a building containing four apartments, according to the Kannapolis Fire Department.
When firefighters arrived within 5 minutes of being dispatched, they found heavy fire and smoke coming from the building, particularly a corner apartment, the city of Kannapolis said in a press release.
“Fire crews quickly entered the burning apartment in an attempt to extinguish the fire and search for victims,” the release added. “As this was occurring, the fire grew in intensity making the structure unsafe for firefighters.”
The Fire Department Command soon called a “Code Red,” ordering firefighters to leave the building and start a defensive attack.
Several aerial master streams were trained on the structure.
The city’s press release said roughly 35 firefighters and emergency personnel were called to the scene. Assisting Kannapolis Fire Department were Landis Fire, Kannapolis Police and Cabarrus County EMS.
Firefighters were expected to be on the scene throughout the evening to combat hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Royal Oak Gardens is a 100-unit, Section 8 apartment complex located at 1760 Citadel Court, off Concord Lake Road.
Edgewood Management Corp. oversees the site.