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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Car Strikes Jet on Ground in Winston-Salem – May 24, 1967

Winston-Salem history hit. Before it crashed after a midair collision over Hendersonville, NC, on July 19, 1967, the first passenger jet operated by Piedmont Airlines had an unusual accident on the ground in May 1967. The airline had recently started jet service from their base at Smith Reynolds Airport. However, their hangar was located on …

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Two Alarms on Blue Bird Court – June 20, 2025

Two alarms were struck in west Raleigh on Friday, June 20, 2025. Dispatched ~12:06 a.m. for 4706 Blue Bird Court. Two-story apartment building. Engine 8 first-arriving, reporting fire in attic space. Engine 20 brought the supply line. Fire also/soon through the roof, from live power line found on roof and/or tree limbs touching roof. Second …

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Bald Head Island Major Fire – November 20, 2021

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from June 17, 2025. Looking back at the North Bald Head Wynd Fire AKA the Lighthouse Landing Fire, and which contributed to the reasons for purchasing the new apparatus. It occurred on Saturday night, November 20, 2021, and was one of the largest fire events in …

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Bald Head Island Major Fire – September 30, 1993

This is a blog version of a Facebook Posting from May 4, 2020. Photos by Bonny Banas (top) and [goes here] (bottom). Looking back at the largest fire in the history of Bald Head Island in Brunswick County, NC. It destroyed ten buildings with 38 units at the Swan’s Quarter Condominiums on Wednesday night, September …

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Navy Jet Crash in Hertford – February 21, 1957

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting on June 15, 2025. Looking back at the close call of all close calls, when a Navy jet fighter crashed within 200 yards of Perquimans County High School in Hertford, NC, on the morning of February 21, 1957. Two people were killed and a third person …

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B-52 Bomber Crash Near Goldsboro – January 24, 1961

Looking back at the “broken arrow” B-52 bomber crash near Goldsboro (NC) on January 24, 1961. With period photos and news clippings, plus a visit to the crash site today. At 12:15 a.m., a B-52G Stratofortress operated by the 424 1st Strategic Air Command Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and carrying two unarmed …

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Medical Helicopter Crashes in North Carolina

Research notes on medical helicopter crashes and accidents in North Carolina, both fatal and non-fatal. Pictured is the Life Force crash in Macon County in March 2023. The four crew members all survived with minor to moderate injuries. Photo credit TBD.  1980s Duke Life Flight, Duke University Hospital, Durham 7/21/1986 Crashed near NC 751 and …

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