CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Queen City News) — Saturday marks one year since one of Charlotte's deadliest fires at a South Park construction site killed two people.
While the investigation into the fire continues and the company rebuilds the project, the families of two employees killed in the fire are suing the developer over their deaths.
Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes died on May 18, 2023, when the building they worked in was destroyed by fire.
Investigators said a spray foam insulation trailer on the property started the five-alarm fire.
Immediately after the fatal crash, Charlotte fire officials said they were saddened that they could not save Cheryl and Holmes.
“We want to be 100%, but we're not 100% because of the two people we lost that night. We're living with that. We're thinking about it,” Bright said. Told. “Things changed very quickly that day, much faster than I had ever seen in my career.”
Reconstruction of the 239-unit Modera South Park apartment complex is well underway.
Developer Mill Creek Residential began demolition of the charred building in October 2023.
Executives issued the following statement when applying for a demolition permit.
“Despite the tragic fire that occurred on May 18, 2023, Mill Creek Residential Trust remains committed to completing the Modera SouthPark community and plans to completely rebuild both buildings. First Steps We have received a demolition permit for the building located at 7740 Liberty Row Drive. A second demolition permit has been filed for the building located at 7741 Liberty Row Drive. We hope to complete the demolition work and begin the rebuilding process soon after.Plans for the community remain the same.
We continue to work with state and local authorities as they investigate the circumstances that led to this fire. We take safety issues very seriously and will forever keep in mind the grief caused by this unfortunate tragedy. Our projects are designed and constructed to comply with local and national safety regulations. We will also continue to implement best practices to avoid situations like this in the future, including during construction. ”
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Queen City News reached out to Mill Creek Residential for an update on Wednesday, but a company spokesperson did not respond.
The company is facing a federal lawsuit by Sherrill and Holmes' families. They filed the wrongful death lawsuit on May 2nd. The lawsuit also names several other companies and contractors involved in the construction project.
The plaintiffs allege that the defendants' “willful and wanton disregard and violation of construction site fire protection and fire safety laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, standards and requirements” led to the construction worker's death.
They allege maintenance personnel at the site violated safety regulations that shut off access to the building in an emergency.
The families are each seeking $50,000 in damages.
North Carolina Department of Labor officials announced in January that the two companies reached a settlement over thousands of dollars worth of fines.
State fire officials are updating fire codes for construction sites. One change would require at least one of her managers to be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the fire protection plan.
Modera SouthPark Apartments was originally scheduled to open in spring 2024, but is now scheduled to open in 2025.
