Homeowners Anxious for Hydrants After Massive Fire

MINT HILL, NC — People who live in a Mint Hill neighborhood are anxious to finally have more fire hydrants near their homes.

Last week, a fire destroyed one home. Firefighters had to truck in water from nearly a mile away.

Charlotte Water has been working for the past year to get more hydrants in the Ashe Plantation neighborhood.

The Homeowners Association President says there has been holdups in the permitting process.

While the Mint Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief says a hydrant wouldn’t have made much of a difference in Friday’s fire, it was a harsh reminder of what can happen.

“Look no further there. What if it happens again?” said Greg Ruminsky.”I think after the fact, everybody realizes now.”

Homeowners keenly aware that the Ashe Plantation, like many rural neighborhoods, doesn’t have fire hydrants throughout.

“My guys did go into the house, started a good fight,” said Chief David Leath. “Then, when the water ran out, they had to come out, and there was really nothing we could do at that point in time.”

Firefighters say the nearest hydrant they used to truck in water was nearly a mile away.

Charlotte Water installed it last year, and began planning and permitting process for more.

Because pipes in a few spots are nearly 50 years old, and too small, crews will finish installation this year.

How many hydrants, isn’t final, but Charlotte Water says it will likely place them every 750 feet.

“It would allow us to be more aggressive at times with fires,” said Chief Leath.

Ruminsky says Friday is proof of how important the hydrants will be.

“I think we were fortunate from the weather standpoint that the wind wasn’t blowing and we had had some rain,” said Ruminsky. “Because if had those drought conditions, it probably would have caught several houses on fire.”

More than 150 homes sit in Ashe Plantation, and the HOA President says, in addition to safety, the hydrants will mean lower insurance costs.