Drownings at Raleigh Beach

Presenting a list of drowning victims at Raleigh Beach, a popular swimming and fishing spot on the Neuse River, on the border of Raleigh and Knightdale.  Total 28 known drowning victims.  1930 to 1969 2 victims – 1930-07-22 – Two teenagers drowned during an outing with a larger group. The girl, 16, had waded into …

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Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936

This is part two of a multi-part series about fireworks incidents and disasters in North Carolina. Read others: Part 1 Part 2 – Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion – December 24, 1936 See source materials in this Google Drive folder. Asheville Fireworks Store Explosion December 24, 1936 On Christmas Eve, 1936, around 10:13 p.m., a fireworks …

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Topsail Island Pier Fire – May 17, 1984

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from July 28, 2026. See the source posting for many reader memories.  Evening history. More Topsail Island. Let’s go back to Thursday, May 17, 1984, and the fire that destroyed Paradise Pier on West Onslow Beach. Built in [goes here], the 650-foot long pier was a …

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Dixie Fireworks Company Explosion – Zebulon, NC – October 26, 1939

This is part one of a multi-part series about fireworks incidents and disasters in North Carolina. Read others: Part 2 Part 1 – Dixie Fireworks Company Explosion – Zebulon, NC – October 26, 1939 See source materials in this Google Drive folder. Background On October 12, 1937, the Zebulon Record ran a front-page story that …

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Two Alarms on Maplecroft Court – June 15, 2026

Mike Legeros photos See more photos | Listen to radio traffic Two alarms were struck on Monday afternoon, June 15, 2026, at 11115 Maplecroft Court off T.W. Alexander Drive on the western edge of Raleigh. Engine 24 was first-arriving with heavy fire at a townhome building. Four townhomes were damaged. None were occupied at the …

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Charlotte Chemical Laboratories Fire – July 9, 1959

Looking back at the Charlotte Chemical Laboratories Explosion on July 9, 1959, that injured 11 firefighters. Below are research notes.  Contents News stories History book excerpt Recollections of George Greene Full Operational Reconstruction Part 1 – News Stories Transcription of news articles (PDF) Google drive of news articles Part 2 – Charlotte Fire Department History …

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Two Alarms on Shanda Drive – March 23, 2026

This is a placeholder posting for forthcoming information. See below links for now. Two alarms were struck on Shanda Drive in Raleigh on Monday, March 23.  See Legeros photos Watch Legeros videos – Clip 1 – Clip 2 Listen to radio traffic Read narrative notes, via Facebook Read a history of major working fires on …

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Fayetteville Firefighter David Sharp Died in the Line of Duty – March 17, 2000

Looking back at the line of duty death of Fayetteville Fire Department Engineer David C. Sharp II on Friday, March 17, 2000. Sharp died after the 1993 Pierce Arrow aerial tower he was driving was struck by a train at the Cumberland Street grade crossing between Orange and Ramsey streets, while returning from an automatic …

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Eight People Killed by Lightning in Sampson County – July 12, 1961

Transcription of News and Observer story about eight people killed by lightning on July 12, 1961, in Sampson County, NC. Plus news photo from the Greensboro Record.  News and Observer, July 13, 1961 Lightning Kills Eight Near Clinton Bolt Hits Leaf Barn; Ninth Hurt By BILL WOMBLE. CLINTON — A single bolt of lightning flashed …

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Extra Alarms Fires in Raleigh – 1990 to 2025

Presenting a chart counting extra-alarm (structure) fires in Raleigh from 1990 to 2025. Scroll for source data and editorial comments. See more Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) charts and infographics in this blog post. Editorial Comments This data was hand-compiled by Mike Legeros, based on sources including news reports, RFD photo unit documentation, RFD media releases, …

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