Below are photos and details of many of the incidents that Providence VFD responds to during the year. Please visit our Archives for Previous Years Incidents.

Sunday, December 30, 2007 - On duty Providence members were alerted by a passer-by of a serious two vehicle collision within 100 yards of the station at the intersection of Weddington-Matthews Road and Hemby Road. E-321 and Squad 32 responded to the scene to find two vehicles off the roadway severely damaged. The passenger of a Silver Nissan had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the Nissan along with the driver of a White Ford pick-up were both critically injured and were packaged for emergency transport to CMC Main in Charlotte. Two units from Union EMS transported the victims by ground as air transport was unavailable due to weather conditions. According to NCSHP troopers on scene, witnesses advised that the Nissan ran a stop sign and crossed directly into the path of the pick-up which was traveling north on Weddington-Matthews Road. NCSHP investigated the collision. (Note - damage to the Nissan seen below was a direct result of the violent impact and no fire department extrication was perfomred on the vehicle.)

Friday, October 19, 2007 - Providence VFD responded to a reported vehicle fire in secluded area in the early stages of development across the street from Antioch Elementary School on Antioch Church Road. E-321 arrived to find a fully involved vehicle abandoned with no occupants around. UCSD and UCFMO were requested to investigate. The vehicle was determined to be stolen and left in the secluded development to burn.

Monday, October 15, 2007 - Providence VFD, MEDIC and NCSHP responded to an MVC in the median of I-485 near Providence Road. Arriving units found a single vehicle tangled in the cable barrier and the occupant shaken up. MEDIC evaluated the patient who refused transport to the hospital. NCSHP investigated.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Providence VFD and MEDIC responded to a report of a MVC on I-485 near the 56 mile marker involving two overturned vehicles and a possible entrapment. An additional MEDIC unit was requested as well as mutual aid from CFD E-9. Providence E-1 and CFD E-9 arrived simultaneously to find one vehicle overturned in the outer loop lanes and one vehicle overturned in the inner loop lanes. Both drivers were free from their vehicles under their own power but injured. Providence and CFD crews treated the patients and assisted packaging for transport. NCSHP and CMPD investigated.

Sunday, September 2, 2007 - Providence VFD responded mutual aid to Stallings VFD on scene of a MVC with two entrapped patients. Providence was requested for additional manpower and to establish a landing zone for Med Center Air. E-321 set up the LZ in a vacant field directly beside the accident scene. Providence manpower assisted Stallings and Union EMS in packaging patients for transport. One patient was transported to CMC via Med Center Air and the other was transported to CMC via Union EMS Med 51. NCSHP investigated.

Early morning, Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - Providence VFD and Union EMS responded to a MVC overturned in the 3700 block of Weddington-Matthews Road. Arriving units found a Ford Explorer overturned in woods off of the roadway. Two passengers were on scene out of the vehicle and injured. Per a by-stander, the driver climbed from the wreckage and fled the scene on foot. NCSHP, UCSD and CMPD conducted a brief search for the driver and were unable to locate him. The two occupants on scene claimed to have no knowledge of who he was and stated that they were just getting a ride home from a party where they admitted underage drinking was taking place. Both subjects refused transport to the hospital and were turned over to their parents by NCSHP.

Tuesday, June 25, 2007 - During the early morning hours, violent storms moved through the Charlotte area igniting several fires. At this particular incident, Providence VFD responded mutual aid to Charlotte Fire Department for a reported working fire in the Deerfield Creek Subdivision which is spilt between city and county. CFD L-32 was first in reporting a working fire in a large two-story house. Providence E-321 was second due and personnel were assigned to assist L-32 with maneuvering a 2 1/2" handline for suppression. As Providence firefighters prepared for entry, portions of the two-story porch ceiling fell injuring one firefighter with minor burns to his head and hand. As he was recovering and preparing to enter the house, a full collapse of the roof and ceiling above the foyer occurred, trapping the Captain and FFII of L-32 on the second floor. An evacuation was issued as well as a MAYDAY. A second alarm response was struck. CFD E-20 located the trapped firefighters at a second story window. Ground ladders were placed to rescue the trapped firefighters who were not injured. All fire ground personnel were accounted for and a defensive operation was begun using L-32. The lone occupant of the home was able to escape along with several pets. Units on scene included CFD B-4, B-7, L-32, E-32, E-9, E-20, E-38, R-3, E-19, E-24, L-24 and C-8; Providence E-321, MEDIC 12 and several CMPD units.

Monday, June 18, 2007 - Providence VFD responded to the Outer Loop of I-485 between Rea Road and Providence Road for a reported tractor-trailer on fire. Mutual Aid was requested from the Charlotte Fire Department. Providence E-321 arrived to find a brake fire that had spread to a portion of the trailer and surrounding grass. CFD E-32, E-24, E-9 and T-71 assisted with suppression. There were no injuries.

Sunday, June 17, 2007 - Shortly after leaving the scene of the working fire at Hartis Grove Baptist Church, Providence VFD responded to assist Wesley Chapel VFD with a MVC and vehicle fire on Antioch Church Road. Arriving units found a fully involved vehicle with the lone occupant ejected and in serious condition. Providence assisted with suppression patient care and water supply. It was reported by the patient that she was attempting suicide. The patient was flown to CMC via MedCenter Air. NCSHP investigated.

Sunday, June 17, 2007 - Providence VFD was dispatched with Stallings VFD and Wesley CHapel VFD for a reported structure fire with possible entrapment at Hartis Grove Baptist Church on Blanchard Road in Stallings first due. First arriving units found a working fire in the sanctuary of the church with extreme heat conditions. Providence members assisted with suppression, roof ventilation, search and overhaul. Thankfully, there were no civilians trapped and no injuries at the scene. The Union County Fire Marshal's Office investigated and determined the fire to have originated in a light unit behind the choir podium.

Saturday, June 1, 2007 - Providence VFD responded with MEDIC and Matthews Rescue Squad for a MVC reported to be TWO vehicles overturned on the Inner Loop of I-485 Hwy near Providence Road. Arriving units found a passenger vehicle and a large truck and trailer overturned on an embankment off the right shoulder. Miraculously, all parties received only minor injuries and were treated and released from area hospitals. NCSHP investigated.

Early, Sunday morning, May 20, 2007 - Providence VFD was dispatched for an MVC with report of entrapment and multiple patients on the Inner Loop of I-485 Hwy at Providence Road.. While in route, Providence Chief Wheeler requested mutual aid response from Charlotte FD and Matthews VFD. Chief Wheeler arrived to find several police units on scene with a fully involved vehicle in the median and a heavily damaged vehicle in the roadway. A front-seat passenger of a Red Pontiac Vibe was pinned in and critically injured. The driver of the Pontiac Vibe was pinned in and unfortunately deceased on arrival. The driver of the other vehicle that was on fire, a Chevrolet Caprice Classic, had been pulled from the wreckage by police officers and had also died immediately from his injuries. Pineville, NC Police Officers had received a report of a driver traveling the wrong way on I-485 and were making every effort possible with Charlotte PD and Matthews PD to warn other motorists and attempt to stop the driver. Unfortunately, the collision happened before this could happen and several officers witnessed this tragedy. NCSHP and CMPD investigated. Mutual Aid was provided by CFD E-9, L-32, R-3, B-4 & B-7; Matthews VFD E-2 and R-8. Providence VFD remained on scene for four hours until investigation was complete and the highway cleared.

Wednesday, May 15, 2007 - Providence VFD assisted MEDIC and Matthews Rescue on the scene of an MVC on I-485 Inner Loop at Providence Road. Early 911 callers placed the accident several miles east near Matthews. While in route, Matthews VFD responding engine company was involved in a separate MVC. Providence provided fluid control, debris removal and traffic assistance. One driver was treated on scene by MEDIC for minor injuries and refused transport.

Thursday, May 10, 2007 - A passing motorist stopped at Providence VFD alerting on-duty firefighters of a house on fire on Hemby Road less than a quarter-mile from the fire station. As firefighters were boarding the apparatus, they saw smoke and flames from the structure. At the same time, Union County Emergency Communications (CCOM) received a 911 call from the neighbor and dispatched Providence and Wesley Chapel VFD's to the scene. E-321 arrived to find a single-story, wood frame duplex with heavy fire and smoke coming from the right side unit. Firefighters advanced a handline into the structure and began fire attack. Unfortunately, during a search of the residence, a female victim was discovered in the bathroom deceased from injuries sustained during the fire. Firefighters from Providence and Wesley Chapel did an outstanding job of stopping the fire and preventing the spread to the adjacent duplex which only suffered minor smoke damage. The fire and civilian casualty were investigated by the Union County Fire Marshal's Office and Union County Sheriff's Department.

Thursday, May 3, 2007 - Providence VFD and Union EMS responded to a MVC in the 13400 block of Providence Road involving four vehicles. Due to the location of the vehicles, Providence Road was closed in both directions until NCSHP arrived. The investigating trooper requested that only southbound traffic be allowed to flow due to the late afternoon time of day and heavy traffic volume commuting south from Charlotte. Several drivers attempted to ignore traffic blockades endangering firefighters working the scene. One such driver was cited by NCSHP for his actions.

Friday,April 27, 2007 - Providence Chief Wheeler drove upon an MVC that had just occurred in the 1800 block of Weddington Road in front of Weddington Corners Shopping Center. There was only one minor injury and EMS transport was refused. The roadway was closed for a brief time and traffic routed through the shopping center lot until NCSHP investigated.

Sunday, April 22, 2007 - Providence VFD was dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in the parking lot of The Home Depot located at 5415 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Providence Captain Matthews was inside the store and upon exiting to the lot, found a Ford F-150 pick-up with a well involved fire in the engine compartment. Captain Matthews retrieved several ABC dry chemical extinguishers from the store and attempted to knock the fire down until E-321 arrived. The fire was extinguished and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshals office investigated the cause.

Saturday, April 21, 2007 - Providence VFD and Union EMS were summoned to the scene of a MVC at the intersection of Providence Road and Hemby Road. One driver suffered a medical condition that rendered them unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle slammed into the rear of another vehicle that was stopped at the intersection. The driver of the first vehicle was transported to the hospital and no other parties involved were injured requiring transport. NCSHP investigated the collision.

Early Morning, Saturday, April 14, 2007 - Providence VFD was dispatched for mutual aid request to Beulah Church Road near the intersection of Antioch Church Road. Wesley Chapel VFD and Union EMS had been dispatched to a single vehicle MVC with a pinned in driver. A Wesley Chapel member had arrived in POV and confirmed the pin-in and request for rescue. Providence E-321 and Squad 32 responded and were the first in apparatus even though the accident scene was not in the Providence Fire District. Tools from both apparatus were used in the extrication of the driver and an 1 3/4" line from E-321 was pulled to protect the LZ set-up in the front yard adjacent to the scene. The driver was transported to CMC in Charlotte via MedCenter Air.

Sunday, April 1, 2007 - Providence VFD and MEDIC were dispatched to I-485 Outer Loop at Providence Road for an MVC involving an rollover vehicle and possible entrapment. Providence E-322, Squad 32, Charlotte Fire E-9, L-32, B-7, MEDIC 50, 20 and 122 responded to the scene as well as numerous CMPD and NCSHP units. Arriving units found no entrapment but a total of four patients, one being critical. MedCenter Air was summoned and transported one patient to CMC. MEDIC 50 & 20 transported the remaining patients to area hospitals. The highway was closed until NSHP could investigate and remove the vehicles.

Thursday, March 22, 2007 - Providence VFD and Wesley Chapel VFD were dispatched for a reported structure fire on Maple Grove Church Road. 911 callers reported flames visible and arriving units found a single story residence 50% involved with heavy fire. Multiple lines were placed in operation including a 2 1/2" line to protect a neighboring house that suffered exterior damage. All occupants of the fire home were able to escape without injury but lost a substantial amount of personal belongings as well as both vehicles parked in the driveway. The Union County Fire Marshals Office investigated.

Saturday, December 23, 2006 - Providence VFD and MEDIC were dispatched to an MVC on I-485 Outer Loop at Providence Road. Arriving units found a vehicle that had been side-swiped by a tractor trailer and slammed into a concrete retaining wall under the overpass. The driver only suffered minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital. NCSHP investigated.