South Charlotte bar that burned down received multiple fire code violations
Firefighters battled a three-alarm fire at a bar in south Charlotte for two and a half hours on Saturday morning.
Smoke was visible across the Charlotte skyline as the Morehead Social went up in flames. Chopper 9 Skyzoon flew over what is left of the building on Monday and captured the nearly demolished building with the roof collapsed.
Channel 9′s Gina Esposito asked investigators about the cause of the fire. Fire investigators said the fire started in the basement, but the damage was so bad it was hard to tell.
Andrew Rogers told Esposito he saw firefighters battling the fire.
'There was a lot of water they had to use,' he said. 'They had maybe four to five ladder trucks.'
Ella Hudson said the smoke was heavy as she drove by on the interstate.
'It took three minutes down 77 to breathe because you could feel the smoke in your car still,' she said.
Esposito asked local agencies for fire inspection records and found that the Charlotte Fire Department had issued a number of violations to the bar last year.
READ: Firefighters battle three alarm fire in South End
CFD conducted an investigation in June 2024 and issued five violations including fire extinguishers requiring service, unsatisfactory hoor extinguishing systems and an unsecured compressed gas cylinder, according to an email from CFD.
Additionally, officials said the bar's fire suppression system test certificate and Charlotte fire permit were not posted.
'Charlotte Fire has made multiple follow-ups with the business on September 13, October 16, and November 25, 2024, to determine if these violations have been addressed. However, we have not received any response from the business,' CFD told Esposito in an email.
Esposito called, messaged, and emailed the bar's owner for comment and has yet to hear back. But the owner did post on social media saying they are grateful nobody was hurt, and for the fire department's response.
WATCH: Firefighters battle three alarm fire in South End
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
More people are experiencing homelessness this year, PIT Count shows
The Point-in-Time Count for Mecklenburg County shows more people are experiencing homelessness this year than they were last year, but efforts to solve the problem are also ramping up. The results of the count show there are over 2,400 people experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County. Of those, 444 are unsheltered. That is a 16% increase from last year and the highest unsheltered count since 2010. Channel 9's Eli Brand spoke to Jessica Lefkowitz, the executive director for Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition, about what these numbers mean for the community. The organization helped lead the count for the last two years. She says the actual unhoused count is likely higher than the numbers show because it was taken during the winter. 'It's something I think we should all think about with this year's point in time count is that it was like 17 or 18 degrees,' Lefkowitz said. 'So, we definitely didn't capture the real, true number because there might have been people in a hotel for the night instead of outside in that extreme weather.' Earlier this month, Mecklenburg County Council passed their budget for 2026. ALSO READ >> Mecklenburg County to vote on new budget It included around $27 million for nonprofits and mental health services. Even with the added funds, Lefkowitz said many nonprofits are still concerned since money they depend on from the American Rescue Plan Act is set to expire. 'We have businesses that are obviously impacted by the unhoused,' she said. 'If they could put some investment into this work, I think we could also help them.' Over the last two years, Heart for the Invisible said they have been able to get 214 people into permanent housing. VIDEO: 'Nowhere to go': Owner asks for community's help after her restaurant catches fire, closes
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Union County family escapes house fire; community rallies to help rebuild
A Union County family is safe but lost everything in a house fire investigators say started with an air compressor and now, neighbors are stepping in to support them as they start over. ALSO READ: Union County family's home catches fire months after kids hit by truck Channel 9's Erika Jackson spoke with the family as they get support from neighbors along Haden Drive off New Town Road near Waxhaw. The Union County Fire Marshal ruled it an accident. Investigators believe an air compressor was plugged into one car, pumping air into a tire on a pickup truck, which started the fire. Everything the Robinsons own is gone. 'Material things can be replaced but someone's life can't,' said Veronica Robinson. Robinson sees beyond the damage. 'All I can think about is my mom,' she said. 'All I can think about is her. What if I lost her?' Robinson said she was in her bathroom Monday morning when she heard a visiting family member banging on the door. 'I saw that the flames were starting to jump onto the house,' Robinson said. 'And when I [had] seen that, I immediately ran back in the house, ran to that room right there, and got my mom out.' Robinson said her daughter-in-law helped her oxygen-dependent father escape. He's recovering in a hospital as her family works to figure out what's next. 'I'd be completely lost if it wasn't for the community coming together and just helping any way they can anyway,' Robinson said. She credits her neighbor, Kristen Marcum, for calling 911 and coordinating donations through a GoFundMe account. Robinson said she was reminded of what she does have. 'This has really taught me what paying it forward means and just taught me to slow down and smell the roses,' she said. The Red Cross is helping them with temporary housing. She's waiting for her renters and car insurance to come through. GoFundMe for the Robinsons VIDEO: Dilworth fire that led to explosion set intentionally
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Report – Bologna Lead The Race For Sought-After Inter Milan Teenage Sensation
Bologna are reportedly in the driver's seat to sign Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito despite interest from many other clubs. Per Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInter1908, Vincenzo Italiano's men have taken a genuine interest in the prodigious center-forward. Advertisement After an impressive breakout season with Spezia in Serie B, Francesco Pio Esposito is ready for his maiden top-flight campaign. However, competition for attacking spots at Stadio San Siro is as fierce as it gets. Therefore, the 19-year-old will likely leave the club in the coming months. Bologna in Pole Position to Sign Inter Milan Starlet Francesco Pio Esposito TIRRENIA, ITALY – OCTOBER 12: Francesco Pio Esposito of Italy U21 looks on during the Friendly Match between Italy U21 and Italy U18 on October 12, 2023 in Tirrenia, Italy. (Photo by) Esposito's fortunes at Inter could still change, especially after Simone Inzaghi's exit. Indeed, Cesc Fabregas could launch his professional career in Milan if he takes over the reins. The Spaniard prefers to work with young forces, which could back up Esposito's case. Advertisement Otherwise, he may leave the Nerazzurri for regular top-flight football. Meanwhile, Bologna may use the same deal formula that took Giovanni Fabbian to Renato Dall'Ara in 2023 to convince Inter. However, talks will not begin until the San Siro giants appoint a new manager.
