Several crews battle Corolla apartment fire, Red Cross assisting 32 displaced by blaze

Published 7:46 pm Friday, July 29, 2022

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The Currituck Department of Fire and EMS has reported that at around 4:30 Friday morning, July 29, Currituck County Fire-EMS, Corolla Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Currituck County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 800 block of Caroline Court in Corolla for a structure fire.

“On arrival, first arriving units reported a three story apartment complex with smoke showing and a working fire was declared,” stated Currituck Fire-EMS. “Duck Fire Department, Kitty Hawk Fire Department and Southern Shores Fire Department were added to the assignment at the request of Battalion 106.”

An aggressive fire attack was performed and crews were able to contain the fire to the floor of origin.

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All occupants were able to safely evacuate. There were no reported injuries to firefighters or occupants.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Late Friday afternoon, the American Red Cross reported that disaster-trained volunteers are assisting people displaced by the fire.

According to the Red Cross press release, 12 apartment units were destroyed in the fire.

“Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers were on-scene and are supporting virtually, helping people by evaluating needs and providing assistance,” stated the release. “Currently, the Red Cross is helping 32 people by providing emergency financial assistance for needs such as shelter, food, relief items like toiletries, health and mental health services, and one-on-one support to connect affected residents to additional resources and organizations.”

“Every day people are forced from their home due to fires, storms or other disasters,” said Courtney Murph, disaster program specialist with the American Red Cross Northeastern North Carolina Chapter. “Our Disaster Action Team volunteers respond day and night to meet the immediate needs of their neighbors.”

The Red Cross stated that people “have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late, according to a 2020 Red Cross survey. The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters across the country every year and most of these are home fires.”

The Red Cross suggests following these steps to help protect your family:

  • Create an escape plan with at least two ways to exit every room in your home.
  • Practice your plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes.
  • Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Change the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
  • Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.

Visit redcross.org/fire for more home fire safety information.

“The American Red Cross is a proud partner with the Albemarle Area United Way,” stated the Red Cross release.

To donate to the Red Cross, go to redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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