CHARLOTTE — Channel 9’s Glenn Counts visited Charlotte Fire Station 22 on West Sugar Creek on Sunday where crews have been prepared for the worst.
However, conditions have been tame.
“We had about 350 calls and about 52 storm-related calls since we started our storm timer at noon today, and the reality is I think people heeded the warning stay home, stay off the roads,” Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson later told Counts Sunday night at CFD headquarters. “It really does decrease demands for service from public safety as well as the other departments that provide service.”
There was a call about some kids playing around a pond and one fell in.
They got out so a rescue wasn’t necessary.
“Kids will be kids,” said Battalion Chief Timothy Brown. “If they are doing tobogganing or sledding close to a body of water, they may not be aware of the dangers. So, parents, just be more aware of where the kids are. Stay away from any body of water because they are not frozen over completely.”
The department had extra staff for Sunday.
Charlotte Fire on high alert as icy conditions persist (previous)
As icy conditions continue, Charlotte Fire Department has already responded to multiple accidents and fires overnight.
Firefighters at Fire Station 45 in northeast Charlotte say they are on high alert, watching these conditions closely, as even a light coating of ice can quickly lead to emergency calls. Crews say they’re ready to respond as roads turn dangerous and power outages become a real possibility.
[ LIVE UPDATES: Winter ice storm sweeps across the Carolinas ]
Charlotte Fire responded to a crash as dangerous road conditions began to set in overnight. Firefighters had to extricate one person from a car, and at least one person was taken to the hospital.
Crews say this is the real danger with ice. Roads can turn slick in seconds, leaving drivers with little time to react.
Firefighters are also responding to multiple fires. Charlotte Fire tackled a chimney fire in west Charlotte around 2:30 a.m. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
[ READ MORE >> Charlotte fire crews battle flames from chimney ]
Never use grills, generators or space heaters indoors, officials stress. Firefighters say those can quickly lead to fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.
They also recommend letting faucets drip, especially overnight, to help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting as temperatures drop.
“We don’t want a generator running in our own home because there’s a fear of carbon monoxide poisoning,” Kevin Campbell with the Charlotte Fire Department said. “Fire places, candles, all of those that will have an active flame, we want to keep combustible materials away from it, at least 3 feet away.”
As conditions continue to change, firefighters say if you don’t have to be on the roads, stay home and give emergency crews room to respond.
VIDEO: Crews respond to trees on power lines in east Charlotte community
This browser does not support the video element.