Upon arrival, fire was visual from building A of the four building apartment complex. The fire originated from the rear of the apartment building where a small mechanical/storage room was located. The fire quickly spread into the common attic area of the 4 unit apartment building. All residents had safely evacuated the apartment building before firefighters arrived.

Morganton Department of Public Safety immediately began fire suppression operations and called for mutual aid because of the need for additional manpower. Firefighters from Glenn Alpine and Lake James Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene to assist Morganton firefighters. Off-duty public safety officers from Morganton were called back in to cover the city, while the currently on-duty offices fought the fire.

Working collectively, the fire was quickly brought under control, however, extensive salvage and overhaul operations proved to be time consuming and labor intensive. Each of the four apartments suffered extensive fire damage.

Three of the four apartments in the building were rented, leaving three families displaced. Morganton Department of Public Safety contacted the American Red Cross and a representative responded to the scene to assist the families with basic necessities for the immediate future.

No firefighters sustained injuries from this incident.