Just saw this on our local news...it looks like a bad fire ...and spreading...

http://abc11.com/news/huge-fiv...own-raleigh/1804792/

surprised it hasn't gone past 5 alarms, being that size and spread.

Not a fun night for anyone involved. Here's hoping the boys stay safe and get it out quick.

That was one helluva a bonfire!

something very similar to that happened in LA a few years ago - it was right across the street from a fire department - still a total loss

don't recall if it was arson or an accident

It seems to me that a multifamily building of that size and height should be built out of steel and masonry. At what point does code require steel instead of wood frame?

Guys it was nasty last night. The building was under construction and went up like a lighter knot. Then they had to contend with the crane collapsing and embers starting fires at 4 other buildings. This is only the second 5 alarm fire in the city. We had 22 engine companies on scene and I'm not sure how many of our ladders but I'm sure it was all of them. All 3 shifts were recalled in and other municipalities dispatched their trucks (23 total) around the city to provide backfill coverage. The sad thing is the stick construction is what is happening to all of our big apartment complexes in the area because it is cheap. I work in construction management for the city of Raleigh and work very closely with the fire department. I am currently building two stations for them and renovating 3 others. Chief McGrath is a top notch no BS kind of guy and his staff is wonderful as well. The fact that all firefighters went home last night is a testament to Raleigh fire and the high standards they have. One firefighter was hit with some glass but he will be fine. My office is ~25-30 blocks away and our sidewalks are covered with ash this morning and it smells like a campfire out there. I fully expect some code changes will be coming as a result of this one.

Aaron