Gas leak in Matthews closes roads as firefighters battle blaze
Firefighters are battling a fire and gas leak explosion in Matthews that has closed roads to drivers, according to the Matthews Police Department.
Charlotte and Matthews firefighters as well as Piedmont Natural Gas are on the scene at Morningwood Drive at Pleasant Plains Road, the department said.
Paramedics are on the scene but no injuries have been reported. Several houses nearby have been evacuated, according to the Matthews Fire Department.
Dana Jenkins was in the area buying a car seat she found on Facebook Marketplace when the fire broke out. She didn’t hear an explosion, but said she was shocked to see the size of the flames nearby.
“It was taller than a house for sure,” Jenkins said in a phone interview with The Charlotte Observer. “At least bigger than a two-story house.”
She was forced to go the opposite way she came after first responders closed Old Monroe Road, she said. When she drove by the scene of the fire she said it appeared to be coming from the street, rather than a person’s home.
But given the size of the fire, Jenkins said she was worried about the homes nearby. Multiple fire trucks swarmed the area, and she watched as people walked to the area to see what was happening.
“It was scary,” Jenkins said.
Drivers were being advised to seek alternate routes.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 1:11 PM.
