What caused the Lake Hickory condominium fire?

Investigators are examining the possibility of a chimney fire as the cause of the blaze that consumed two condominiums on Lake Hickory.

What challenges did firefighters face during the Lake Hickory fire?

Firefighters battled the blaze in sub-zero temperatures, with ice forming on the structures and some nozzles freezing, and a nearby highway had to be shut down.

Were other condominium units affected by the fire?

While two condominiums were heavily damaged, firewalls prevented the fire from spreading to other units, though power was cut to several, raising concerns about freezing pipes.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Ice and Flames: Condos Engulfed in Winter Blaze

Ice and Flames: Condos Engulfed in Winter Blaze

2 Feb

•

Summary

Two condominiums on Lake Hickory were engulfed in flames overnight.
Firefighters battled the blaze in sub-zero temperatures with ice forming.
A shut-down highway and frozen nozzles complicated efforts to extinguish the fire.

Ice and Flames: Condos Engulfed in Winter Blaze

Overnight Sunday, a fierce fire consumed two condominiums situated on Lake Hickory. Firefighters from four departments, including Granite Falls, responded to the scene, confronting extreme cold with temperatures in the teens.

The intense cold presented significant challenges, causing ice to form on the structures and even freezing some of the firefighters' nozzles. Reports indicate that three inches of ice accumulated on the second floor due to water application on the fire. The fire hydrant's location across Highway 321 necessitated a highway shutdown, which lasted over four hours and hampered firefighting operations.

While the two units sustained heavy damage, the presence of firewalls between the condominiums proved crucial, preventing the fire from spreading to other units. However, power was cut to several neighboring units, raising concerns among residents about their pipes freezing on Monday.