A deadly fire breaks out at a construction site in Charlotte's South Park neighborhood (2023)

CHARLOTTE - At least one person died in a fire Thursday morning at an apartment complex under construction in Charlotte's South Park neighborhood.

Construction worker Demonte Sherrill, 30, died in the fire, the family said. Another worker is missing.

Continue reading:

• 'Scenes of chaos': Witnesses describe fire at South Park construction site
• Construction worker rescued by crane tip as fire broke out in SouthPark
• Fire breaks out in the second building near SouthPark fire #5
• Two construction workers go missing after a fire in the South Park area

Firefighters rescued 15 workers from the building, including one on a crane, Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson said. Paramedics said he was taken to the hospital, where his life is not in danger. They said two others had been tested but not transported.

The Charlotte Fire Department said Thursday night they could not confirm any injuries.

"The search process can be lengthy," Charlotte Fire tweeted. "We cannot confirm if anyone lost their life. This fire has been difficult for our community and our firefighters continue to be on the scene working hard to find answers.”

The fire is on alert on Liberty Row Drive near Fairview Road. Just before 10 a.m. The fifth alarm sounded in the morning.

By midday, most of the flames were out and firefighters focused on putting out the fires throughout the building.

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A fire breaks out in the SouthPark neighborhood of Charlotte

Witnesses told Channel 9's Joe Bruno that the fire started on the second floor. Construction workers said nearly 100 people were working at the site when the fire broke out.

Another worker told Channel 9 that the fire was started with a foam sprayer and spread up the stairs.

A Twitter user, @TheHomeT, shared a video of smoke rising from the fire.

A fire breaks out in the SouthPark neighborhood of Charlotte

The Charlotte Fire Department Thursday afternoon urged residents not to call 911 unless it was an emergency.

According to the Charlotte Fire Department, 90 firefighters were on site.

ACrane driver trapped in driver's cabFortunately, high above the fire, first responders were able to save the worker.

Commissioner Johnson said crews were working in temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees.

The fire spread quickly due to the large amount of exposed wood at the site, the official said.

Johnson said firefighters made two calls to 911 when the crew became stranded or had trouble escaping.

There were no reports of injuries to firefighters.

Johnson thanked Pineville, Midland, Wesley Chapel and Steele Creek fire departments for reporting the call from Charlotte while Charlotte firefighters were in South Park.

"I'm proud of the work we've done here," he said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said the following roads were closed.

• liberty avenue
• Carretera Jinxiu
• meeting road
• Avenida Barclay Downs
• South Park Road

Some roads were later reopened.

Charlotte Fire is asking anyone who cannot find a family member working on the site to call 911. Police shared the same information, saying an officer would fill out a missing persons report. They asked the family to provide the individual's full name, date of birth, a physical description and a recent photograph.

Schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg said Thursday night's fire is expected to affect traffic routes. A list of affected schools and bus routes can be found belowClick here.

'Out'

"Get out, get out": Workers describe the aftermath of the SouthPark fire to Hunter Saenz

Only a few apartment buildings remained as of Thursday evening. Many construction workers said that there were workers on every floor of the building. When the flames ignited, the workers tried to put out the fire themselves, it said. But because it's spreading so quickly, it's impossible for workers to contain it.

At that point, they knew they had to get everyone out. Workers told Channel 9's Hunter Saenz that many began yelling "fire" and did their best to urge everyone to evacuate. But the fire was so fierce that they had to endure it themselves.

Sáenz spoke to Alejandro Quiroja, who is working on the metal structure on the first floor of the building. He said he made sure the crew he was leading were assembled and leaving, but he was worried about the others.

"I saw the building catch fire and collapse, I mean it was horrible," he said.

"We work on the ground floor, so it's not that bad for us, but for the people who work on the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh floors, it's probably worse, you know," Quiroja said.

He described what happened as news of the fire spread.

"They started coming out and yelling, 'Get out, get out, the building is on fire,'" he described to Sáenz.

Quiroja said many workers were left unemployed and without tools because they had to abandon them when they ran away.

Saenz was sentVideoShot near the scene of the fire. Video showed debris and ash falling as flames swept across the site.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement on Twitter urging everyone in the area to stay safe and let first responders work.

"Charlotte people please stay safe and do not call 911 unless it is an emergency," he tweeted. “Our public safety officers are working hard to contain the Category 5 fire in the SouthPark area. The safety of everyone is of the utmost importance. We are being urged to stay away from the SouthPark area until further notice and residents who live nearby are being asked to stay in. Please allow@Charlotte Fire,@CMPD, and MEDIC have time to do their job and protect our city. "

The CMPD announced that it is establishing a unified location at the Police Sky Tower near Nordstrom at 4400 Sharon Road.

This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.

(SEE: RAW: Fire at junkyard north of Charlotte destroys bus)

Raw: Fire destroys bus in North Charlotte junkyardCharlotte Fire Department officers were on hand to deal with a bus fire at the junkyard Thursday afternoon.

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