Winston-Salem Armory Explosion – September 26, 1969

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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’ »

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Tracking Engine Swaps in Raleigh

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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/

 

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Wilmington Explosion and Fire – August 19, 2025

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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’ »

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Apparatus Accidents with Civilian Fatalities

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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 – Engine 31 / car, 1 fatality
  • 2011 – Kernersville – Engine 41 / car, 1 fatality
  • 2005 – Statesville – Engine 3 / SUV, 1 fatality
  • 1997 – Charlotte – Engine? / car, 2 fatalities 
  • 1985 – Greensboro – Ladder _ / car – 1 fatality
  • 1982 – Charlotte – Engine? / car – 1 fatality
  • 1980 – Steele Creek (Mecklenburg) – Engine / car – 1 fatality
  • 1975 – Durham – Engine / car – 1 fatality
  • 1966 – Wilmington – Engine? / car – 1 fatality
  • 1963 – Lenoir – Quad / car – 1 fatality
  • 1957 – Durham – Engine / car – 1 fatality
  • 1953 – Goldsboro – Engine? / car – 1 fatality 
  • 1933 – New Bern – Engine / car – 1 fatality
  • 1929 – Raleigh – Engine _ / car – 1 fatality
  • 1926 – Charlotte – Engine (?) / car – 1 fatality
  • 1923 – Raleigh – Engine 1 / pedestrian – 1 fatality

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:

  • ~10:01 a.m. – Collision occurred after Quint 12 and Ladder 12 had been dispatched to an automatic fire alarm activation at 5020 Highway 55 at ~9:56 a.m.
  • ~10:01 a.m. – ________ heard the radio traffic and directed dispatch to send EMS 52. 
  • ~10:02 a.m. – Request to move Quint 19 to a separate radio channel and clear them from the channel for the fire alarm activation.
  • ~10:02 a.m. – EMS 52 dispatched.
  • ~10:03 a.m. – Engine 12 added
  • ~10:03 a.m. – Medic 7 checked in on the radio.
  • ~10:03 a.m. – Quint 19 reported a side impact from the motorcycle, and the cyclist unresponsive. Firefighters were treating the motorcyclist.
  • ~10:04 a.m. – Engine 12 asked if Squad 4 was available and was told, yes, they are. 
  • ~10:04 a.m. – Engine 12 requested Squad 4, Battalion 3, and the Safety Officer added to the call.
  • ~10:05 a.m. – Squad 4 and Battalion 3 were added.
  • ~10:05 a.m. – Request for call to upgraded to a cardiac arrest.
  • ~10:06 a.m. – Request for two police officers “code three” to their location in the middle of the intersection.
  •  ~10:06 a.m. – Medic 10 added.
  • ~10:07 a.m.  – Medic 1 requested reassignment from Medic 10, due to being closer.
  • ~10:07 a.m. – Call confirmed in the county and not the city.
  • ~10:08 a.m. – Engine 12 and Medic unit were approaching the scene.
  • ~10:16 a.m. – Medic 1 requested a TOD.
  • ~10:17 p.m. – Request that all four approaches to the intersection be blocked off.

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’ »

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Wilmington Natural Gas Explosion and Fire – August 5, 1987

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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’ »

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

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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’ »

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

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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 the other side of North Liberty Street. The jets were towed to and fro, and vehicle traffic was stopped by a traffic signal and flagmen.

On the night of Wednesday, May 24, 1967, at 11:45 p.m., a Boeing 727 was being towed across the street. It had the roadway completed blocked. The stoplight was red on either side of the crossing, along with two flagmen, each holding a warning light and a stop sign.

Driving toward them in a 1965 Corvair was Ruth Pruitt, 41. She appeared to be looking to the right, witnesses later recounted, as she struck the aircraft, travelled under its belly, and collided with a utility pole several yards away.

The top of her car was flattened and Pruitt suffered facial lacerations. She underwent surgery the next morning at Baptist Hospital.

Damage to the plane was estimated at $25,000. Named the Manhattan Pacemaker, it was the first of two jets newly operated by the airline.

However, the Boeing 727 ended its service less than two months later, when it collided in midair with a small plane over Hendersonville, NC. Read that story in our prior posting.

Source: Twin City Sentinel, May 25, 1967

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Piedmont Flight 22 and the Midair Collision Over Hendersonville – July 19, 1967

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Read retrospective and research notes from 2017 (103M, PDF)

See other photos, clippings, and the NTSB report in this Google Drive folder.

Introduction

Looking back at the deadliest plane crash in North Carolina history, when 82 people were killed on Wednesday, July 19, 1967, after Piedmont Flight 22 collided with a Cessna 310 and both crashed in Hendersonville, NC.

Piedmont Flight 22 was flying a Boeing 727 with 79 souls aboard. It had taken off from Asheville Municipal Airport at 11:58 a.m., heading to Roanoke VA. One minute later, it collided with a twin-engine Cessna 310 that was approaching for landing. There where three people aboard the second plane, which had been chartered from Springfield, MO.  

They were flying 6,132 feet and eight miles southeast of the airport when they collided at 11:59 a.m. Both were operating under instrument flight rules. The planes crashed just south of the intersection of Interstate 26 and Highway 64. The crash site was just 200 feet from the interstate. [AC, 7/20/67]

The main parts of the passenger jet landed in a wooded area at Camp Pinewood, a private summer camp for children near Interstate 26. It burst into flames upon impact. The crash site was near the camp’s archery rang, and near the camp’s trash dump. [WSJ, 7/20/67]

Other debris fell in nearby neighborhoods. One young girl was hit by debris at her home on Highway 64 about a mile from the crash site. She was not hospitalized. [AC, 7/20/67]

The wreckage of the two planes was spread over an area 1.5 miles long and a half-mile wide, along a path to the north and northwest of the impact point. The passenger jet was upside down when it struck the ground. The Cessna was severely fragment and only one identifiable portion was found at the main wreckage site. [NTSB]

 

Continue reading ‘Piedmont Flight 22 and the Midair Collision Over Hendersonville – July 19, 1967’ »

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Lynn Road Fire Station – End of an Era

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This is a blog version of a Facebook posting.

Another milestone happened on July 1, 2025, in Wake County, when Northern Wake Fire Department ended operations at Station 5 at 1431 Lynn Road, at a facility co-located with Wake County EMS. 

The station’s response area was redistricted effective that date, with 27 first-due parcels reassigned to Durham Highway and Western Wake fire departments. NWFD Engine 51 (unstaffed) was housed on Lynn Road. Here’s a posting from April 26 about the redistricting. 

Thus ended the building’s 51-year life as a fire station.

The History

The Lynn Road fire/rescue/EMS station was originally erected by the Six Forks Volunteer Fire Department, relocating in 1974 from 5305 Six Forks Road.

In 1976, Six Forks Rescue Squad was organized by members of the fire department. They were later named Six Forks EMS.

In 2002, Six Forks VFD merged with Bay Leaf VFD, and the building became Bay Leaf Station 3.

In 2011, Six Forks EMS ceased operation and Wake County EMS took over.

In 2017, Bay Leaf VFD and Stony Hill VFD merged to form Northern Wake FD, and the building became Northern Wake Station 5.

The building is now exclusively operated as a Wake County EMS station.

Read More History

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Garner and Rolesville Municipal Mergers

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This is a blog version of a Facebook posting.

Congratulations to Garner Fire Department and Rolesville Fire Department. Effective July 1, 2025, each merged with their respective municipalities, Town of Garner, NC Government and Town of Rolesville, NC. Congrats to all.

They’re two of oldest community fire departments in Wake County. Garner FD was organized in 1952, with a small group of volunteers, a 1941 Ford auxiliary truck from Durham (and later sold to Harrells in Sampson County), and a used-car garage as their first station.

Rolesville Rural FD was organized in 1958, with their own volunteers and a 1958 Chevy/American pumper (still on the roster) and a military surplus truck-turned-tanker. They stored their pumper in the Rolesville Amoco Station.

The Garner merger was several years in the making, with milestones including the town contracting with a consultant in January 2021 to study the issue, the town passing a resolution proposing unification in May 2024, and the town approving the final merger agreement in March 2025. 

The Rolesville merger dates to 2021, when the fire department and the town started meeting collaboratively on the subject. In May 2024, the town adopted a unification resolution. Read more about the Rolesville merger. 

Looking Back

Historical photos of Garner FD, via Raleigh Fire Museum.

Historical photos of Rolesville Rural FD, also via RFM.

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