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Photos and incident report by Jerry W. Swift

On July 21, 2016, the Mount Holly (NC) Fire Department experienced one of the largest downtown building fires in its 100+ year history.

A severe thunderstorm had just rolled through the area just prior to the fire being transmitted. First-due units arrived with active fire conditions in the roof’s open space and exterior boxing.

Two alarms were transmitted for this fire with extra support units requested throughout the incident. The following fire departments responded to the fire: Mount Holly, Belmont, Charlotte, East Gaston, North Belmont, West Mecklenburg, New Hope, Agriculture Center, Union Road, Cramerton, and Lucia Riverbend.

At the height of the fire close to 100 personnel were operating on the scene.