Charlotte Fire called to Family Dollar store three times in a month

CHARLOTTE — An east Charlotte Family Dollar is closed indefinitely after Charlotte Fire says someone intentionally set a fire inside the east Charlotte business on Sunday.

In a post on X, Charlotte Fire said this is the “third time this business has been targeted by fire in recent months.”

The Family Dollar is located at 6212 The Plaza. A spokesperson for the store did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Channel 9 obtained incident reports for the three fires.

The first was on November 30, when suspects tried to break into the back door using a grinder. CFD responded because someone reported smoke. The incident report says the suspect cut the hinges from the rear egress door.

Charlotte Fire returned back to the store just days later when someone set a fire just feet away from the business at a homeless camp.

On December 29, Charlotte Fire returned after people broke into Family Dollar through the back door and started a fire between the cash register and safe.

Firefighters said the arson resulted in about 1.4 million dollars in damages. It took 30 firefighters 38 minutes to control the blaze.

No arrests have been made in connection with this case, according to the fire department.

“Charlotte Fire remains committed to working with law enforcement to thoroughly investigate these cases and bring those responsible to justice,” a spokesperson for CFD said.

On Thursday, Channel 9 spotted numerous people attempting to go to the store, unaware of its closure.

Neighbor Gerlynn Alford Wright says the arson is robbing community members of a reliable place for cheap food and supplies.

“I buy everything there,” she said. “Hopefully I will be able to go back in there soon.”

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