On Sunday, October 28, two alarms were struck on Brook Knoll Place, in a townhouse complex around the corner from Falls of Neuse and Wake Forest Roads. Dispatched 6:43 a.m. Upgraded to working fire and second alarm, while units were en route, based on number of callers.

Engine 15 arrived at a three-story townhouse with 1,780 square-feet. One of eight units, built 2004. Heavy fire showing in front and rear of structure, on two of the three floors.

Crews initially performed an interior attack, including a courtyard lay in the rear of the structure, with a two-inch line from Engine 9. The fire building was soon evacuated, and exterior operations were started, using Engine 15 deluge gun, Ladder 1 from northwest corner of complex, and Ladder 2 in front of the fire building.

Exterior hand line was also deployed from behind the fire building, from a second-story balcony opposite the fire building. Crews climbed onto the balcony using a roof ladder. The main body of the fire was knocked down in about ten minutes. The fire was controlled at 7:30 a.m.

Ladder 2 continued to flow into the building, while Ladder 1 was demobilized, along with the second-alarm companies. Engine 15, 19, 9, Ladder 2, and Battalion 5 remained on scene, and “C” platoon personnel were relieved by “A” platoon members. They remained on scene into the morning.

First alarm: E15, E19, E11, E9, L2, L1, R1, B1, B5; Working fire: A2, C20, C402, B2; Second alarm: E16, E4, E22, L5, L3; Plus C2, C3, C4.

Two residents were injured, and transported to the hospital. One later died, a 71 year-old woman. Six people were displaced. 

See more photos by Mike Legeros.

Last updated November 3, 2018

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Contents

• Historical Perspective
• Summary
• Details

Historical Perspective

See this subsequent blog post about major fires and fatal fires at Glenwood Towers. 

Summary

Three alarms were dispatched at 509 Glenwood Avenue on Friday, October 26, 2018. Dispatched 12:55 p.m. as fire alarm. Heavy smoke on ninth floor, heavy fire found in single apartment. Working fire at 1:02 p.m. Second alarm at 1:03 p.m. Third alarm at 1:12 p.m. Two additional engines at 1:20 p.m. Additional alarms and personnel for manpower needs, for evacuation and rescue of some 10 to 12 occupants, some that called 911 to report their locations. Water on fire at 1:38 p.m. Extended operations for overhaul, air monitoring, and assisting residents with returning. Six residents transported, one treated and not transported. Over 100 evacuated. Total 28 units damaged, 26 [?] residents displaced.

Fire response: E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, E8, E10 (relief), E11, E13, E17, E20, Sq 7, Sq 14, L1 (relief), L3, L4, L7, L8, R1, C20, C401, C402, C1, C2, C3, C4, C14, B2, B3, B5 A1, A2 (relief), Training Division Chief, Training Captains, recruit academy members.

EMS response: EMS15, 16, 22, 3, 33, 4, 52, 54, 6, 62, 63, 68, 7, 8, plus [single?] units from Franklin, Johnson, Harnett, Granville counties; District 1, 3, 4, 5, Medic 91, 92, 93, 95, CH 101, 102, 200, Evac 1, EMS PIO.

Details

General

• Some 10-12 residents rescued from fire floor and floor above. 
• Six residents transported to hospitals. One treated on scene, refused transport.
• One news report said over 100 residents were evaluated by EMS. This is incorrect. Early into the incident, officials said that 100+ residents still needed to be evaluated. This was said, because they didn’t have a good handle on many more more still required medical evaluation, to determine further complaints. However, no new patients presented from that group.
• Eighth floor residents and above were evacuated. 
• By 4:40 p.m., most residents were allowed to return (source: WRAL).
• Red Cross opened emergency shelter at church in Garner on Friday night (source: WRAL).
• Building has 287 apartments, only 10 were vacant. Total 28 units damaged in blaze (source: WRAL).
• Built 1971. Total 117,584 square-feet. Fourteen stories. Residents are low-income elderly. Operated by Raleigh Housing Authority. 
• No sprinkler system. 

Milestones

Later

• 16:4_ – E10 – Special call.
• 16:43 – L1 – Special call.
• 20:33 – Last unit(s) clear scene.

Locations – Outside

• E13 on SE corner, connected to south standpipe, connected hydrant at Glenwood and Tucker, NW corner.
• E1 on N side, Johnson Street, connected to north standpipe, connected to hydrant in 500 block Glenwood, mid-block, S side.
• L4, E6, E5 on Johnson Street, 600 block
• L2 on NW corner, Johnson and Boylan.
• Sq7, Sq14, E17, R1, L3 on Glenwood, 500 block.
• L8, L7, E11, E20 on Tucker Street, 500 block.
• E3, E2, E8, A1 on Tucker Street, 600 block
• EMS staging 600 block Glenwood, 400 block Tucker, corner Tucker and Boylan.
• EMS officers, front parking lot

Locations – Inside

• Lobby – Command post
• Floor 9 – Fire
• Floor 8 – Hose line connection, Div 9, Div 10-14 command
• Floor 7 – Equipment staging
• Floor 6 – Rehab

Run Card

• Fire
  • E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, E8, E10 (r), E11, E13, E17, E20
  • Sq 7, Sq 14
  • L1 (r), L3, L4, L7, L8
  • R1
  • C20, C401, C402, C1, C2, C3, C4, C14
  • B2, B3, B5
  • A1, A2 (r)
  • Training: Division Chief, Captains, recruits
  • Relief companies (r)
• EMS
  • EMS15, 16, 22, 3, 33, 4, 52, 54, 6, 62, 63, 68, 7, 8, FC, JC, HC
  • District 1, 3, 4, 5
  • Medic 91, 92, 93, 95
  • CH 101, 102, 200
  • Evac 1
  • PIO

Coverage:

• E17 to RFD 1
• E28 to RFD 1
• L9 to RFD 1, then RFD 20
• Garner L1 to RFD 2
• Morrisville L1 to RFD 8
• New Hope engine to RFD 11
• Rolesville ladder to RFD 28
• Swift Creek engine at RFD 20
• Wake Forest E5 to RFD 19