Firefighter Hurt During N.C. Apartment Fire

Nov. 26--A firefighter was injured while battling an apartment fire on Elvira Street.

The firefighter, whose name has not been released, was among the first to reach the fire, which was reported at about 5:50 p.m.

"He suffered some type of injury," said Assistant Fire Chief Richard Bradshaw. "We were able to get him out of the building."

The firefighter was conscious and alert when he was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Bradshaw said the injuries did not appear to be serious.

The fire started in an upstairs unit of the two-story block, part of the Carriage Hills complex, and spread through the attic, Bradshaw said. The cause is not yet known.

All the residents who were home escaped safely, Bradshaw said. Five of the eight units were damaged. The Red Cross was called to help the 19 people affected.

Dozens of firefighters worked to contain the fire as flames shot from the roof and smoke belched from the vents. Firefighters were on the roof and in the building. At least half a dozen fire trucks, including two ladder trucks, responded.

The fire was controlled within 45 minutes, Bradshaw said.

The building is across the street from an eight-unit building that was destroyed by fire May 28. A fence has been put up around that building, which is still unoccupied.

"This is deja vu," said Kim Stoll, who had just come home from work when the fire started. "My son said, 'Mom, there's smoke coming out of the top.' "

Some residents learned of the fire only as they got home from work.

"My girl called me crying," said Larry Ross, who lives in an upstairs unit.

"My husband called me," said Connie Reagan, who lives downstairs, "and told me the place was on fire."

Staff writer Gregory Phillips can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3596.

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