Decomposing body found in Charlotte fire after flames erupted, officials say
A man was found dead after a fire in a Charlotte apartment building Wednesday morning, but died before flames erupted, fire officials said.
The body was decomposed, a fire official said. Battalion Chief Brian Beatty said the man’s body was found in an apartment not damaged by the fire, which began a ground-level apartment and also did damage on the second floor.
Several residents in robes and blankets stood outside watching firefighters search the building and continue putting water on the roof.
Officials have not said how they believe the person died, but police were investigating.
Firefighters found the person after responding to calls of a fire in the 4400 block of Sharon Chase Drive in east Charlotte, officials said.
“The first Charlotte Fire unit arrived on scene at 6:47 a.m. and encountered heavy fire coming from a two-story apartment complex,” according to the fire department post. “Multiple additional units followed shortly after arrival.”
Firefighters evacuated residents from the apartment building and controlled the fire around 7:10 a.m., officials said.
A person was taken to a hospital for further evaluation, and another was treated at the scene, according to the department.
The fire made nine apartments uninhabitable, and firefighters are working with the apartment complex and the American Red Cross to help displaced residents.
The Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force is trying to determine the cause.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 10:16 AM.
