Feb. 24--Two Charlotte firefighters were injured Sunday morning while responding to a structure fire at the Tyvola Centre Apartments.
The first call for service came around 8:18 a.m. in the 5900 block of Glendale Chase Court and was rated as a 2-alarm fire. It took nearly 80 firefighters about an hour to control the fire, Captain Rob Brisley said.
During the operation, there was a partial roof collapse which injured one firefighter and caused him to become trapped in the apartment complex. He was rescued by co-workers.
Another firefighter suffered injuries shortly thereafter during ground operations, Brisley said.
Both were taken to area hospitals with non life-threatening injuries and later released.
"We look forward to having them back to duty," Brisley said.
Brisley said there was another hiccup during the rescue operation when one of the apartment's residents tried to leave in his car and he drove over the fire hose, which slowed efforts.
The fire affected 24 units, 22 of which were occupied. But no civilian injuries were reported.
Brisley said the belongings in more than 12 of the units were not damaged.
He estimated damages at nearly $500,000. Fire investigators
have determined the cause to be accidental and said the fire broke out in the attic area above a third floor unit, Brisley said. On Twitter: @earriero
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