Local

Fire that destroyed apartment complex under construction was set, officials say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Firefighters said a large two-alarm fire at an apartment complex under construction in east Charlotte was set early Monday morning.

The fire started around 6 a.m. at the Woodbridge Apartments on Yateswood Drive, off Albemarle Road near East W.T. Harris.

In a video posted by the Charlotte Fire Department, you could see heavy fire and smoke billowing from the building.

After it was under control, Channel 9's Gina Esposito said you could see the roof partially collapsed, smoke, and heavy damage to the inside of the building.

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No injuries were reported. Charlotte Fire said more than 40 firefighters were able to control the blaze in 45 minutes.

This is the second time in less than a year and a half this apartment building has caught fire. The apartments were under renovation from a July 2018 fire, which was deemed accidental.

Residents said construction for the new building started earlier this year and was nearly finished.

One woman told Channel 9 she evacuated her apartment with her 1-year-old daughter.

"I come out and everything is kind of evacuating on my building, which is within feet of the fire," the woman said. "We are going in the opposite direction trying to take cover. Everybody looked like in a panic, like they didn't know what was going on."

About 40 people were forced out of their homes after the July 2018 fire.

Channel 9 saw investigators with the Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation combing the building for any evidence.

Residents we spoke with just want answers.

“I just hope they find out who did it and why they did it," resident Jonnie Maddox said.

No other information has been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.