2-alarm apartment fire in Dilworth causes $250,000 worth of damage

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It took 50 firefighters nearly an hour to get a 2-alarm apartment fire under control early Tuesday morning in Dilworth that caused $250,000 worth of damage.

Emergency crews were called to the apartment building on Kirkwood Avenue just before 1 a.m. and saw heavy flames and a lot of smoke coming out of the roof.

PHOTOS: Flames rip through Dilworth apartment building

Channel 9 obtained cell phone video that showed flames shooting from the roof of the building. In the video firefighters can be seen on the roof fighting flames.

Channel 9 was the first station on the scene around 1:30 a.m. and the flames were still shooting out of the roof.

According to CFD, the fire started on the top floor and spread to the roof of the building. Officials said it was faulty wiring in the attic of two units that caused the fire.

Paramedics checked out three people for smoke inhalation.

Channel 9 spoke with a residents who said they helped get people out of the building while it was on fire, and were thankful everyone was OK.

“I was scared man, but God is good luck, and we were able to control emotions and make sure everyone is OK,” said Kimion Atkinson.

Getting a better look at the damage now. A major fire destroyed this Dilworth apartment complex overnight @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/wYt4M22b9o
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 10, 2016

Officials said 11 units were affected and that a total of 15 people were displaced. The Red Cross is helping three people with living arrangements.

Charlotte fire crews were overhauling the scene, opening walls and ceilings to make sure the fire was out and to see if they can learn where it started.

Residents told Channel 9 that some electrical work had been done on Monday and fire investigators told Channel 9 that the cause of the fire was an electrical wiring malfunction.

One person told reporter Joe Bruno that after he turned on his air conditioner, his carbon monoxide detector went off.

Kirkwood Avenue was shut down between Magnolia Avenue and Ideal Way.