Report: Updated Townhouse Fire Codes Needed

Pine Knolls Townhomes Fire

Six months after a wind-driven fire ripped through a north Raleigh townhouse complex, a city report recommended that local fire codes be changed to help prevent future fires.

The Feb. 22 fire, which was sparked by a discarded cigarette and was blown into an inferno by high winds, destroyed 30 townhouses in the Pine Knoll Townes complex off Old Buffaloe Road.

The complex complied with city building codes, but Mayor Charles Meeker called for an investigation to see if the codes should be changed. The city spent $17,000 to have fire safety experts review aerial footage of the fire and the results of the Raleigh Fire Department's probe into the fire.

The final report, which was issued Friday, recommends moving combustible materials like pine straw away from townhouse and apartment complexes and using more fire-retardant soffit materials in the eaves of such buildings, Meeker said.

The City Council is expected to discuss the report's findings at its meeting next Tuesday.



6 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments

Ask Anything
  1. Eleanor Goettee
    10 questions with Wake school board member

    Eleanor Goettee answers your questions about teacher pay, year-round schools ...

  2. Steve Cohen
    10 questions with Cary EMS Chief Steve Cohen

    Steve Cohen answers your questions about saving lives and what to do in emergency situations.

  3. Dr. Page Wages
    10 questions with Veterinarian Dr. Page Wages

    Dr. Wages answers your questions about food, health exams and saying goodbye to your pet.

Multimedia
  1. Severe weather
    Tropical Storm Fay's remnants bring flooding

    The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay moved into North Carolina on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and continued to dump heavy rains and cause flooding the next day.

  2. Drought Map
    N.C. Drought Maps Time Lapse Animation

    View a time lapse animation of drought conditions since April of 2007.

  3. Mohammed Taheri-Azar
    Mohammed Taheri-Azar case

    Images from the UNC 'Pit' attacker's case

  4. Miranda & Jonathon
    Your back-to-school photos

    Viewers submit their back-to-school photos.

  5. Lazy Daze on August 23, 2008
    Lazy Daze in Cary

    Photos from the annual Lazy Dazes event in Cary on Aug. 23, 2008.