CHARLOTTE — One person was killed after a car crashed into a laundromat on Thursday morning and people inside had to run for safety after a fire broke out, tearing through the roof.
The incident happened at about 10:20 a.m. at C&H Laundry in the 1400 block of Shelton Avenue.
Miranda Martinez was folding clothes and getting ready to go home when she heard a bang and thought something had fallen.
“Honestly, it was the scariest moment of my life,” said Martinez.
Martinez, her boyfriend, and another woman were doing laundry inside when someone drove into the building.
“I was in shock. The lady that was beside me was in shock,” Martinez said. “My boyfriend was in shock, too.”
Cellphone video showed black smoke filling the air. The Statesville Fire Department quickly arrived to put out the flames.
There was extensive damage to the building.
The driver of the car was found dead in the car inside the building. Investigators are trying to figure out what happened.
Darius Svoy was taking out the trash when he saw the driver drive into the laundromat.
“He hit the gas so hard, and the car was blowing up like fire,” Svoy said.
Witnesses said the owner of the laundromat stepped outside just before the crash.
Longtime patrons said the loss of the business is heartbreaking
“It was a nice laundromat, too, and I really hate that,” said a customer.
The city of Statesville has not identified the driver of the car or said how this happened.
No other injuries were reported.
The investigation is ongoing.
No additional details have been made available.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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