Charlotte FD figuring out 'lessons learned' year after SouthPark fire

A year after one of the worst fires in Charlotte history trapped and then killed two construction workers, the Charlotte Fire Department has yet to finish its "deep dive" of the day's events.

WCNC Charlotte has spent months routinely checking in with the department about the status of its SouthPark fire internal review. In the days after the May 18, 2024 fire, public records reveal Chief Reginald Johnson noted Charlotte Fire would not do a "normal" critique. Emails show the department created a committee last summer, suggesting everyone could "benefit from closely examining the events of that day and learning from it."

In an interview earlier this week, Deputy Chief Jerry Winkles told WCNC Charlotte the review is nearing completion as the department waits on a final report. He also said the department is awaiting the results of a separate, external Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency review focused on dispatch and communication that day. He said the federal agency is completing its review at no charge to the city.

Firefighters previously called for an independent, third-party investigation.

"We're constantly looking for ways to get better," Deputy Chief Winkles told WCNC Charlotte. "I'm sure there will be things that we did really, really well and things that we can improve on."

Saturday marks one year since the five-alarm apartment fire in South Park claimed the lives of Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes. Their families recently filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against the companies involved with the construction project, alleging negligence for failing to meet minimum safety standards. #Charlotte #News

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