A man has died in a south Charlotte fire; 2 kids, 3 adults hospitalized
A man died and two children and three adults remained hospitalized Saturday after a fire in a south Charlotte apartment building Thursday morning, fire officials said.
“Our hearts go out to the family and everyone affected by this tragic loss,” Chief Reginald Johnson said in a statement.
The fire was reported at 5:30 a.m. and burned through the second and third floors of an apartment unit at Aurea Station Apartments, Charlotte Fire Battalion Chief J.P. Soto said.
Six people, including two children, were taken to area hospitals, according to a city of Charlotte news release. Two were transferred to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem.
All residents of the building were displaced, although fire officials didn’t say how many.
At least four apartments in the 8500 block of Winter Oaks Lane were damaged, Soto said.
Eight or nine fire trucks responded and extinguished the fire in under 90 minutes, Soto said.
Said Johnson: “We are proud of the quick and courageous actions of our firefighters, who responded within minutes, performed rescues and brought the fire under control in a challenging situation.”
The cause of the fire is being investigated. Soto said firefighters combed the units for anything that could reignite the fire.
“Initial estimates place property and content loss at more than $100,000,” according to the city of Charlotte statement Saturday.
American Red Cross volunteers helped families Thursday as fire investigators walked through the charred remains of apartments.
Families displaced by apartment fire
Neighbors watched as fire investigators walked through the apartments later Thursday morning. Some neighbors stood eating on top of the hood of a car, while others huddled with American Red Cross volunteers who arrived to help.
Jason Gudzunas, the executive director, said he and volunteers arrived on the scene about two hours after the fire broke out.
“We want to make sure their immediate needs are met,” Gudzunas said. “We want to make sure they’re safe and comfortable.”
Those affected will receive mental health support and spiritual care, as well as referrals for long-term care. He said the Red Cross was still evaluating whether those affected would receive financial assistance or be set up in a shelter.
Gudzunas’s wife, Christina, is also a Red Cross volunteer and was on site to support the families.
One of the first things she does when she arrives to help people is give them comfort and someone they can talk to. She also finds out what they immediately need and helps them get those things, such as blankets and hairbrushes.
“All those things that they’re going to go to first thing in the morning,” she said. “They’re going to brush their teeth and not have a toothbrush. We have all that set up.”
Gudzunas said the Red Cross website has information on fire safety and training, as well as opportunities to have smoke alarms installed inside homes.
This story was originally published July 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM.
