Raleigh and Wake County Planning Maps 1970 and 2025

Comparing maps that appeared in a City of Raleigh fire protection planning document in 1970 with other map data: Raleigh projected growth + later/current fire stations (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + Raleigh annexation history (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + current fire insurance districts (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + current …

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Deadliest Mass Shootings in North Carolina History

Research notes on the deadliest mass shootings in North Carolina history, expanded from this Facebook posting on September 28, 2025. These notes are still undergoing review and revisions.  Supplement to Mike Legeros deadliest disaster database.  Abbreviations: SP (Single Perpetrator) MP (Multiple Perpetrators) Type Incident Date / Location Killed Wounded Total Casualties Source SP Carthage Nursing …

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Relocating Fire Station 15 – Project Schedule

This is an ongoing blog posting about relocating Raleigh Fire Station 15. Contents  September 2025 – Project Schedule June 2025 – Call for Artists for Public Art / Conceptual Designs Unveiled July 2024 – Contract Awarded for Design Services January 2024 – Construction Bids Solicited  May 2023 – Replacement Project Budgeted March 2022 – New …

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Winston-Salem Armory Explosion – September 26, 1969

View clippings and other documents Introduction On Saturday, September 26, 1969, a methane explosion and flash fire at the National Guard Armory on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem injured 25 members of the North Carolina National Guard. Seven of the most seriously injured were flown to an Army burn center in Texas. Three later died. …

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Tracking Engine Swaps in Raleigh

It’s the season of engine swaps in Raleigh, with four new Pierce Sabers and four new Pierce Enforcers delivered this summer. The four Sabers were recently placed in service as Engines 21 26 27 28. The older pumpers assigned to each company have been reassigned to other companies. Here’s a tracking chart of these and …

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Wilmington Explosion and Fire – August 19, 2025

Screen grabs from Ian Cross footage via WECT. Last updated: August 29, 2025  Introduction On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Wilmington, NC, an impaired drive struck and damaged a gas meter and high-pressure line beside a commercial building that was being renovated for veterinary hospital. The vehicle left the scene. The hospital was planning to …

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Apparatus Accidents with Civilian Fatalities

Last updated August 17, 2025. This is an updated blog version of a Facebook posting from 2009. Research notes on civilian fatalities in fire apparatus accidents in North Carolina.    Contents 2025 – Durham – Quint 19 / motorcycle, 1 fatality 2023 – Charlotte – Ladder 24 / motorcycle, 1 fatality 2019 – Kannapolis – …

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Wilmington Natural Gas Explosion and Fire – August 5, 1987

Looking back at the natural gas explosion and flash fire in downtown Wilmington August 5, 1987.  Timeline On August 5, 1987, Welco Construction and Utilities Company, based in Florence, SC, was excavating in the 4600 block of Market Street. They were installing sanitary sewer lines in preparation for a project to widen Market Street. The …

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Navy Plane Crashes into Building at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, July 31, 1974

For our Friday history, let’s head over to Pasquotank County and Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City on July 31, 1974, when Navy radar plane crashed into a building, killing the pilot and three civilian workers inside. Two others aboard the plane survived with injuries, along with 12 others, including several firefighters. On that Wednesday …

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