A historic school in Charlotte's Wilmore neighborhood was significantly damaged following a two-alarm fire on yesterday afternoon, a blaze to which sixty firefighters rapidly responded and managed to control within about 25 minutes, according to reports from QC News.
Charlotte Fire Department units arrived at the scene, the former Wilmore School located at the 400 block of West Boulevard, shortly before 2:30 p.m. after smoke was seen emanating from the building, the department's efforts quickly averting a larger disaster, ensuring no evacuations or injuries were necessary while traffic disruptions on West Boulevard between South Tryon Street and Interstate 77 were significant, as outlined in coverage from WCNC.
The school, initially erected in 1925 within the historic district, was unoccupied at the time of the fire, property records confirm the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools still hold ownership; however, a rezoning request approved in May 2024 granted permission for its conversion into a mixed-use development, including apartments, townhomes, and retail spaces while preserving the original school structure. "I appreciate the fact that they are preserving this school and the history of Wilmore," Charlotte city councilwoman LaWana Mayfield said, affirming its significance in anticipation of the development that would include at least 5% affordable housing units, according to WBTV.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Charlotte Investigation Task Force, no immediate determination has been reported, the building's past described as a "safety hazard" among advocates citing instances of "excessive vandalism" and "excessive basement water damage and corrosion," with a need to balance historic preservation with modern utility, sentiments reflected in details obtained from WCNC.
As firefighters and investigators sift through the aftermath, the immediate and long-term impact of the fire on the proposed redevelopment of the site remains unclear, as community members and stakeholders await a full assessment of the damage and authoritative conclusions regarding the fire's origin.
