A fire that erupted earlier yesterday at the Green Tree Apartments in Kings Mountain has resulted in the death of Evelyn Blakeney, aged 45, and the displacement of several families. The blaze, reported around 4 a.m., consumed two apartments and inflicted damage on six others due to smoke and water, as informed by town officials. WBTV reported that firefighters arrived to find one of the buildings fully engulfed.
According to a resident, David Byers, the inferno was quite severe, "When I got to the door, you could feel it in your face," he described in a statement obtained by QC News. Byers, detailed the efforts of police who "knocked on every door and they didn't let them get anything, they just had them get out because the fire was moving pretty fast." Despite relief efforts, Blakeney tragically perished in the fire.
The absence of sprinklers in the affected building has been noted, though smoke detectors were present in nearby units. The aftermath left a stark image: a missing roof, burnt front yard, and melted shutters, painting a bleak picture of the site post-disaster. Neighbors now lean on each other for support, as the property manager has managed to find temporary accommodations for the affected residents in hotels or other apartments. "Everybody comes together in a crisis and that's a good thing," Byers told QC News.
Investigations into the cause of the calamity are underway by the Cleveland County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Kings Mountain Police Department. A collective effort by multiple agencies including the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Crowders Mountain Fire Department, and others responded to the emergency. In a community already grappling with its share of challenges, one resident encapsulated the collective spirit, "We are praying for them—for all of them, it's already rough times, so not having somewhere to go, it's sad," as reported by WCNC. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information related to the incident and can be contacted through the Kings Mountain Police Department at 704-734-0444.
