4 alarm fire at Wilson Trucking’s Charlotte, NC terminal - 6 hospitalized

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Robert Young was at work at Wilson Trucking Company's Charlotte, North Carolina terminal early Wednesday morning when he heard an explosion and turned around to see flames pouring from the loading dock.

"It felt like I was in a movie it was unreal. Two or three explosions behind another. People just started running everywhere. I had never seen anything like it before,” Young said.

Emergency crews said several people were hurt after a 4-alarm fire at a north Charlotte trucking company early Wednesday morning.

Fire, police and MEDIC were called to the 7500 block of Statesville Road, at Wilson Trucking Corporation, just before 6 a.m. after being told of an explosion and fire on the loading dock.

When crews arrived they saw heavy flames and smoke coming from the loading dock area.

It took 90 firefighters two hours to control the fire.

MEDIC said they rushed five people to Carolinas Medical Center -- one with serious injuries, two with potentially life-threatening injuries and two with minor injuries.

Four people were still at Carolinas Medical Center for treatment Wednesday afternoon. Two are in fair in condition; two are in good condition.

“I’m glad most of the people are OK,” employee Tony Caldwell said.

As of Wednesday evening, Charlotte fire representatives had not said what exploded or what started the fire.

“We (have) got propane tanks and a couple of gas powered lifts. We [have] got fireworks there. All kinds of HAZMAT chemicals in there. We ship a lot of stuff (and) there's really no telling what's on the dock at anytime,” Young said.

Fire Chief Jon Hannan said the way the loading dock is built may have helped the fire spread.

“It’s completely open inside. There are trailers backed in on both sides. There’s no wall ... nothing to stop (the fire) from going from one side to the other,” he said.

Property damage is estimated to be $1.5 million.