CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — An arson suspect has been arrested after a 2-alarm fire at a historic school in west Charlotte on Thursday morning, the Charlotte Fire Department confirms.
Just before 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, CFD announced that they were responding to the Wilmore School on West Boulevard and arrived to see smoke coming from the roof.
Soon after, a second alarm was announced, requesting additional crews. Crews searched the building, but no one was inside. The fire was controlled in 26 minutes.
The Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) said they were on standby Thursday morning; however, no one was injured by the blaze. Heavy traffic delays were expected in the area.
CFD says that an arson suspect has been arrested in connection with this fire and three others at the school in the last few weeks on Jan. 27, Jan. 29, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. The fire on Jan. 27 was also a 2-alarm blaze.
The estimated damage from this latest fire is $15,000. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police carried out the arrest, and the suspect was caught after each of the fires.
“Our crews worked swiftly to contain the fire and ensure the safety of the surrounding community,” Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson said. “The collaboration between Charlotte Fire and our investigative partners was instrumental in bringing this case to a resolution. I am incredibly proud of their dedication and professionalism.”
The century-old property no longer sees students, but in May 2024, Charlotte City Council voted to rezone the property as part of a plan to turn the building into a mixed-use development.
