Charlotte, NC, October 14, 2025
News Summary
Charlotte is grappling with a sequence of intentional fires at the Wilmore School, prompting a police investigation. While a suspect has been arrested, details remain scarce. Concurrently, a separate fire at Billingsville Cotswold Elementary School raised alarm, reportedly connected to ongoing construction work. The historic Wilmore School, targeted multiple times, is set for redevelopment amid community concerns about homelessness and safety of historic sites.
Charlotte is facing a troubling situation with a series of intentional fires occurring at the historic Wilmore School in west Charlotte, resulting in local authorities mobilizing for an investigation. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection with these fires, although specific charges and the suspect’s name have yet to be released. All four fires at Wilmore School, which has not been in use recently, have been determined to be intentionally set, alarming the community and raising concerns about the safety of historic structures.
In a separate incident, a fire broke out at Billingsville Cotswold Elementary School in southeast Charlotte, which was under construction at the time. The Charlotte Fire Department arrived to find smoke emanating from the site; however, no injuries were reported, and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within about one hour. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have started from a welder cutting pipes during demolition work, with debris igniting due to sparks generated by the welding process.
On the morning of the most recent fire at Wilmore School, which occurred around 8 a.m., approximately sixty firefighters were dispatched to control the blaze, successfully managing to contain it within 30 minutes. Fortunately, as with the previous incidents, no injuries were reported. Over the last few weeks, Wilmore School has been ignited on four separate occasions, with the first fire taking place on January 27, followed by other fires on January 29 and February 6. Information regarding those earlier incidents has remained limited; however, they were all confirmed to be the result of intentional acts.
The historic Wilmore School originally opened its doors in 1925, situated within the Wilmore Historic District of Charlotte. It has recently been approved for redevelopment into mixed-use facilities, which are set to include apartments, townhomes, retail, and office spaces. The redevelopment plan emphasizes the preservation of the school’s historical structure while including a requirement for at least 5% of the apartments to be allocated for affordable housing. In May 2024, the Charlotte City Council approved the rezoning request needed to move forward with these plans. District councilwoman LaWana Mayfield expressed her support for the preservation of the school’s history as part of the redevelopment endeavor.
Despite the plans for redevelopment, the recent fires raise concerns about the potential impact on these initiatives. The estimated property loss resulting from the latest fire at Wilmore School is approximately $15,000. Community advocates, such as Deborah Phillips from Block Love Charlotte, have pointed out that recent fires might involve shelter-seeking actions due to the cold weather, highlighting a pressing need for more shelter options for the unhoused population in the area. For instance, a warming shelter that accommodates over 50 individuals is available at 2738 North Graham Street throughout the upcoming week, further underscoring the community’s ongoing challenges related to homelessness.
FAQs
What caused the fire at Billingsville Cotswold Elementary School?
The fire is suspected to have started from a welder cutting pipes during demolition work, which caused nearby debris to catch fire due to sparks from the welding.
How many fires have occurred at Wilmore School and what was their nature?
Four fires have occurred at Wilmore School, all of which have been determined to be intentionally set.
What are the future plans for the Wilmore School building?
Wilmore School has been approved for redevelopment into mixed-use facilities, including apartments, townhomes, retail, and office spaces while preserving the historical structure of the school.
Key Features of Recent Fire Incidents
| Date | Location | Causation | Injuries Reported | Damage Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 27 | Wilmore School | Intentionally set | No | N/A |
| January 29 | Wilmore School | Intentionally set | No | N/A |
| February 6 | Wilmore School | Intentionally set | No | N/A |
| February 8 | Billingsville Cotswold Elementary School | Welder cutting pipes | No | N/A |
| February 8 | Wilmore School | Intentionally set | No | $15,000 estimated |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Historic Wilmore School in Charlotte Damaged by Fire
Additional Resources
- WSOC-TV: Police Arrest Suspect Linked to Multiple Fires
- QC News: 2 Alarm Fire at Historic Charlotte School
- WBTV: Historic Charlotte School Catches Fire Again
- WCNC: Fire at Elementary School in Southeast Charlotte
- Wikipedia: Arson
Author: HERE Charlotte
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