Several fire departments from across Moore County and surrounding areas responded to a massive apartment fire at Hawthorne at the Pines in Aberdeen on Saturday night.
Fire units arrived after 6:30 p.m. to heavy flames showing, and issued a two-alarm fire. A tanker strike force was also dispatched to help feed water to two ladder trucks and other hoses battling the flames. By the end of the night, nearly 75 firefighters were at the scene.
Aberdeen Fire Chief Phillip Richardson told Moore County News the fire started on the balcony of one of the units, and quickly spread upward into the attic area of the structure. The fire is believed to have been accidental, according to Richardson.
The interior of the apartments were equipped with a sprinkler system, however the balcony areas were not.
Officials told Moore County News that eight apartment units were damaged, with flames directly impacting at least four. Nearly 20 residents have been displaced, and the Red Cross is providing assistance. The apartment complex was able to relocate some affected residents and provided them with air mattresses and other basic necessities. MCN revisited the scene Sunday to assess the damage in daylight, capturing drone footage that reveals the devastating loss residents have endured.
Richardson said a firefighter sustained injuries when they were hit by falling debris. They were transported to the hospital to be evaluated, and released shortly after. Richardson also confirmed that one dog was rescued, one cat is unaccounted for, and one cat unfortunately was killed.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
