Officials: Overloaded electrical system caused W. Horah fire
Published 12:10 am Wednesday, April 6, 2016
- Residents and neighbors watch firefighers work at a West Horah Street house fire Monday night. Officials say an electrical system overload started the fire at the structure, which is not permitted as a boarding house but had 14 tenants living in a dozen rooms. Allison Lee Isley/Salisbury Post
City says home not permitted as boarding house
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
Salisbury city officials say they have no record of a West Horah Street home that caught fire Monday night — displacing 14 people — being permitted as a boarding house.
City fire officials confirmed Tuesday the fire at the multi-level brick home, 916 W. Horah St., started in the basement and was the result of an overloaded electrical system. Tenants say the property is divided into 12 units.
The one-alarm fire began around 7:30 p.m. Multiple fire departments responded, but Fire Chief Bob Parnell said Monday night for a structure fire within the city, all of the Salisbury units automatically respond as do their two mutual aid fire departments — Franklin and Granite Quarry.
On Monday night, Billy Everhart told a reporter he’s lived at the boarding house for six months and had complained to property owner Earl McMillon about three months ago about what he deemed “faulty” wiring.
McMillon said Monday night he didn’t recall a conversation with Everhart about the wiring, and that if he had such a conversation, he was sure he’d have taken care of the problem.
A Post reporter attempted to speak with McMillon Tuesday, but he declined to comment.
Salisbury Communications Director Linda McElroy said Tuesday the last permit on file with the city for the home was issued in May 2002 for a “family care home for up to six resident handicapped persons.”
She said the city is still investigating the matter through its zoning and fire departments.
As to any possible consequences for McMillon, she said he will not face fines at this point and Code Enforcement has informed him of what is now required.
“If he does not comply, Code Enforcement will follow-up with a Notice of Violation … that provides a certain number of days to come into compliance,” McElroy said.
Red Cross had seven staff and volunteers on hand Monday night to help those displaced, but LeMaster said Tuesday they are struggling to find somewhere for what she calls “hard to place” individuals.
Many of the tenants were able to go inside to retrieve some items, but all of their belongings are smoke-damaged, she said.
Her hope, she said, is that people in the community will be able to provide some assistance and potential living space, or perhaps a local cleaner could provide them a way to clean their smoke-damaged clothing.
The Red Cross is a Rowan County United Way partner agency. To assist the families displaced, contact the American Red Cross at 704-633-3854.
