Thursday, the Charlotte, North Carolina, Fire Department is combating a massive blaze at a construction site in the SouthPark neighborhood.
The department has released a video depicting flames and smoke pouring from a structure in the 7700 block of Liberty Row Drive.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department issued a statement advising the public to “please avoid the SouthPark area and seek alternate routes.”
“The CMPD is assisting the Charlotte Fire Department with road closures in the area… due to a large fire,” the notice stated, adding, “do not dial 911 unless it’s an emergency.”
Queen City News reports that a construction worker who was confined in a crane when the fire broke out has been rescued.
A fire official from nearby Waxhaw was cited as saying that first responders were “pouring copious amounts of water on the crane to prevent the metal from twisting or collapsing.”
“Firefighters then climbed more than 100 feet up the crane to assist the operator, who had begun descending,” the official continued.
According to reports, fire debris has been found up to three kilometers distant, and smoke has been detected by airport radar.
The origin of the fire is currently unknown. There are no injuries reported.
