Fire Set Intentionally In Third Ward Neighborhood Has Left Residents Homeless And Angry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A raging fire in an Uptown Charlotte neighborhood has left residents homeless and angry. Investigators say it was set intentionally.

Neighbors on Margaret Brown Street say just 24 hours before the raging fire left two homes in ashes, someone tried and failed to spark similar flames in what was an unfinished building.

Just after two in the morning on May 30th Frank Wohlfarth was sound asleep until a blaring alarm interrupted his dream. The smell of smoke filled his home. When he opened the front door to escape, he was met by a violent wall of flames captured by his ring doorbell.

Wohlfarth says he escaped only with the clothes he was wearing. He watched from the street as fire fighters showered the roof high flames, unfortunately too late to save his home and belongings.

“everything burned to the ground,” Wohlfarth said.

He even lost his car and is now left living in a hotel with only a bike and a few clothing items. He hopes to raise $10,000 with a GoFundMe to help him rebuild his life. The link to that fundraiser can be found here. He says anything will help.

Responders confirmed the fire was set intentionally, and neighbors are angry someone could endanger so many.

Laura Washington’s home narrowly escaped burning. She watched rescuers fight flames in her back yard. She says this was the second time the unfinished home where the flames started was set a blaze. Just 24 hours before, a fire was reported and put out.

“I think they may have been doing something for their own selfish reasons,” Washington said.

She hopes for justice as her neighborhood may never be the same.

“I went to bed Wednesday night with seven neighbors,” Washington said. “by Thursday morning, I had none.”

Some neighbors say it has been difficult to move forward with the burnt buildings acting as an ashy reminder of the neighborhoods scariest night.