SALISBURY, N.C. — The fire that destroyed a large portion of The Grand on Julian apartment complex and displaced dozens of residents has been determined to be accidental, according to the Rowan County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Rowan County Fire Marshal officials announced Tuesday that a joint investigation conducted with the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal found the blaze originated in a breezeway area of the apartment complex. Investigators determined smoking materials were the probable source of ignition and found no evidence of intentional actions or criminal activity.
The announcement follows an extensive investigation into the massive four-alarm fire that tore through the Salisbury apartment community, forcing approximately 60 residents from their homes and drawing a response from more than 100 firefighters from agencies across the region.
Fire Marshal officials said they wanted to release the preliminary findings before the completion of the final written report to provide answers to residents affected by the fire.
“Since the night of the fire, our focus has been on two things: finding answers and helping families begin the long road to recovery,” the Fire Marshal’s Office said in a statement.
The final investigative report is still being completed and is expected to take an additional 14 to 21 business days before it is available for public release. Officials said the delay is necessary to complete documentation, conduct required reviews and finish administrative processing to ensure the report is accurate and complete.
Investigators emphasized that the findings do not lessen the impact the fire has had on the community.
The blaze destroyed homes, displaced families and left many residents facing the challenge of rebuilding their lives. Emergency responders and community organizations have continued assisting those affected in the days following the fire.
The Fire Marshal’s Office thanked the residents of The Grand on Julian for their patience and cooperation throughout the investigation, as well as the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and community partners who responded to the incident and supported displaced residents.
Officials also expressed appreciation for the public’s understanding while investigators worked to determine the cause of the fire.
The final report will provide additional details about the investigation once it has completed the review process and is released by the Rowan County Fire Marshal’s Office.
