Comparing maps that appeared in a City of Raleigh fire protection planning document in 1970 with other map data:
Sources:
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 Home Shooting |
March 29, 2009, Carthage, NC |
8 |
3 (including perpetrator) |
11 |
Wikipedia “Carthage nursing home shooting” |
|
SP |
1906 Asheville Shooting, business district |
November 13, 1906, Asheville, NC |
5 |
12 |
17 |
Wikipedia “1906 Asheville shooting” |
|
SP |
East Raleigh / Hedingham Shooting |
October 13, 2022, Raleigh, NC |
5 |
3 (including perpetrator) |
8 |
Legeros “Historical Perspective on Mass Shootings in Raleigh”, web |
|
SP |
North Hills Sniper |
May 29, 1972, Raleigh, NC |
4 (including perpetrator) |
8 |
12 |
Legeros “Sniper Attacks North Hills Mall”, web |
|
SP |
Old Salisbury Road Shooting |
July 17, 1988, Winston‑Salem, NC |
4 |
6 (including perpetrator) |
10 |
Wikipedia “Old Salisbury Road shooting” |
|
SP |
Luigi’s Restaurant Shooting |
August 6, 1993, Fayetteville, NC |
4 |
7 (or 8 in some accounts) |
11 |
Wikipedia “Luigi’s Restaurant shooting |
| SP? | Wilmington, Kidder Street, House Party | April 3, 2021, Wilmington, NC | 3 | 4 | 7 | |
|
SP |
Southport Waterfront / American Fish Company Shooting |
September 27, 2025, Southport, NC |
3 |
5 |
8 |
Wikipedia “2025 Southport shooting” |
|
SP |
Shelby Bookstore Murders |
January 17, 1987, Shelby, NC |
3 |
2 |
5 |
Wikipedia “Shelby bookstore murders |
|
SP |
UNC Charlotte Classroom Shooting |
April 30, 2019, Charlotte, NC |
2 |
4 |
6 |
Wikipedia “2019 University of North Carolina at Charlotte shooting” |
|
MP |
Wilmington Insurrection |
November 10, 1898, Wilmington, NC |
14 to 300 |
|
|
Wikipedia “Wilmington massacre” |
|
MP |
Greensboro Massacre, protest march |
November 3, 1979, Greensboro, NC |
5 |
12 |
17 |
Wikipedia “Greensboro massacre” |
| MP | Charlotte Juneteenth Shooting, block party | June 22, 2020, Charlotte, NC | 4 | 10 | 14 | Various |
Exclusions
Excluded incident types include:
Other Notable Mass Shootings, with Fewer Fatalities
Other Mass Shootings, Selected Citations
Notes and Disclaimers
Here’s the fire station location analysis for Burlington, NC, that was recently received by city council.
See presentation slides + report. (PDF, 40MB)
This is an ongoing blog posting about relocating Raleigh Fire Station 15.
Contents
September 2025 – Project Schedule
What’s the latest project update? Here’s the current project schedule, from the official project page:
June 2025 – Call for Artists for Public Art
On [goes here], an RFQ was issued for creating public artwork at replacement Fire Station 15. The budget is $105,000 to design and fabricate. Up to three semi-finalists would be selected to interview and paid a $100 honorarium. The deadline for submission was June 30, 2025.
The RFQ document included conceptual design renderings and a site plan. More about the art project.
Conceptual rendering
Conceptual rendering
Conceptual rendering, night view
July 2, 2024 – Contract Foe Design Services Awarded
On July 2, 2024, the contract for design service was awarded to ADW Architects, for just over $2 million. The RFQ for proposals was advertised January 5, 2024. There were eight applicants. Project staff received the applications on February 9, 2024. City council authorized execution of the contract as part of their consent agenda at their July 2, 2024 for meeting.
January 2024 – Construction Bids Solicited
On January 5, 2024, an RFQ was issued for design and construction management services for relocating Raleigh Fire Station 15. The new facility is planned with ~17,000 square-feet and a construction budget of ~$13.5M, plus city contingency of $1.7M and projected escalation of $3.5M through end of construction in January 2027. The proposed site is on Spring Forest Road at Millbrook Exchange Park, near the current station. The RFQ is # 274-2024-CM-06.
Current Fire Station 15 opened on November 13, 1974. It’s a one-story structure with two drive-through bays and 5,664 square-feet. Changes over the years have included the expansion of the rear apparatus bay in 1996, to accommodate a larger aerial apparatus. It currently houses Engine 15 and Ladder 15. Over the years, it has also housed a battalion chief and a haz-mat unit. The Explorer Post was also based there for many years.
May 2023 – Replacement Station Budgeted
On May 16, 2023 – the proposed FY24 budget for the City of Raleigh was announced. Capital projects included $5.85M in FY24 and $11.5M in FY25 for replacing Fire Station 15.
March 2022 – New Doors Installed Continue reading ‘Relocating Fire Station 15 – Project Schedule’ »
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.
Of the 22 remaining injured guardsmen, nine were hospitalized for long periods and eventually declared 30 percent to 100 percent disabled. They were all awarded full disability benefits by the federal government.
The explosion was caused by colorless and odorless methane gas created by decaying garbage at the nearby sanitary landfill. The armory was located less than 100 yards from the landfill. And there had been at least two prior explosions in the vicinity of the city landfill but none that had caused serious injuries.
The emergency response included the Winston-Salem Fire Department and a dozen or more ambulances including the county ambulance service, local rescue squad ambulances, and funeral home ambulances. Plus, numerous police officers, some who transported patients in their patrol cars. The city police academy was also located in a building that adjoined the armory.
The armory was also located near the fire department drill tower and training grounds, which were also adjoined the old landfill site.
Timeline of Events Continue reading ‘Winston-Salem Armory Explosion – September 26, 1969’ »
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 other pumping engine reassignments. It also includes the late 2024 deliveries–one Pierce Saber and four Spartans–and a few of the existing reserves.
Still collecting job numbers for the Sabers and last year’s Spartans.
See our apparatus registry for the master data: https://www.legeros.com/ralwake/raleigh/apparatus/
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 open next month.
Some 20 or 30 minutes after fire units arrived at the scene of the active gas leak, the building exploded and injured five firefighters, including one severely. They were inside the building conducting a primary search. They were monitoring the gas levels as they searched and they detected a dangerous concentration just seconds before the explosion.
All five were injured in the blast and emergency evacuation. One firefighter suffered second- and third-degree burns to their hands and was transferred to the burn center in Chapel Hill.
Here are narrative notes and more about the incident, drawn from news articles, the press conference, and other sources.
Incident Timeline Continue reading ‘Wilmington Explosion and Fire – August 19, 2025’ »
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
Incidents
2025, Aug 17 – Durham
Quint 19 collided with a motorcycle at the intersection of T. W. Alexander Drive and Highway 54 on Sunday morning, August 17, 2025.
Reported the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the apparatus was heading west on Highway 54 and operating its emergency warning equipment. A Suzuki 800 motorcycle was travelling south on T. W. Alexander Drive.
The collision caused the cyclist to be thrown from the motorcycle. The 46 year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene. There were three firefighters aboard the apparatus, they were not injured.
Here’s a timeline from radio traffic:
From PulsePoint, the run card included: Sq4 B3 E12 E13 E16 EMS52 FD8 HM16 M1 M7 M10 Q19 SAF1.
Sources: ABC11, August 18, 2025.
Durham – August 17, 2025 – CBS17 photo
2023, Jan 30 – Charlotte
Ladder 24 collided with a motorcycle at the intersection of Pineville-Matthews Road and McMahon Drive. It had been dispatched to a medical call in the 7700 block of Little Avenue at 5:36 p.m.
At 5:40 p.m., Ladder 24 was traveling through the intersection when it collided with the motorcycle. Firefighters began administering medical care to the motorcyclist.
The driver was transported by Mecklenburg County EMS and died at the hospital. Sources: Queen City News, 1/30/23.
Continue reading ‘Apparatus Accidents with Civilian Fatalities’ »
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 company was operating as a subcontractor for Dickerson Carolina Inc. in Castle Hayne, NC.
~11:15 a.m. – Workers moved a Hitachi UH 123 tracked backhoe across gas and water service lines located in front of King’s Laundromat at 4615 Market Street. The movement likely caused a leak the underground six-inch gas line, which carried approximately 60 pounds of pressure.
A worker detected the small of natural gas and also observed the roadway pavement raising up and dirt blowing from underneath. He informed others, including requesting a call to the gas company.
~11:20 a.m – Equipment and men were moved away from the leak site and work was stopped.
First Engine Dispatched at 11:31 a.m. Continue reading ‘Wilmington Natural Gas Explosion and Fire – August 5, 1987’ »
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 morning, a U.S. Navy Grumman TE-2A Hawkeye “submarine chaser” was practicing touch-and-go operations when it struck the aircraft maintenance and supply center at the end of the base runway about 9:15 a.m.
As reported in the next day’s Raleigh News and Observer, Lt. Cmdr. Walter M. Coburn was watching the air traffic from a helicopter. He said the aircraft skidded 200 feet and struck the building, which had once served as the base dining hall.
He said “the plane veered off the runaway after its engine failed during a third attempt at takeoff.” Smoke and flames started about 15 seconds after the impact. But there was no apparent explosion.
The building was occupied by 23 civilian employees. They had no advance warning of the crash, but some were able to run out of the building after the impact.
Crash Truck Gets Close Continue reading ‘Navy Plane Crashes into Building at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, July 31, 1974’ »