CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the wake of the massive fire that broke out in Charlotte on Thursday, Protagonist Beer stepped up to say "thank you" to the fire crews who worked to douse the flames.
In an Instagram post, Protagonist said it would temporarily rename its flagship Queen Charlotte beer to be called "The 43," which refers to the 43 fire stations in the city. The brewery will also donate $1 from each sale of a pint of The 43 to the Charlotte Fire Department to support the crews.
Beyond the donations, the brewery also made an offer to firefighters to enjoy a slice of pizza and a pint of beer as a token of appreciation. Firefighters just need to show their ID showing they work for Charlotte Fire.
"We believe in the power of coming together as a community, especially during challenging times. So this weekend, let's join together to honor the bravery and selflessness of our local heroes- and as a community, we can make a significant impact," Protagonist Beer said in its post.
For a group enjoying the pint Friday afternoon, it hits close to home.
“We're actually all in the construction business, so it was something that was personal to us anyways," Sean Wilson, a Protagonist Beer customer, said Friday. "It's something we followed closely, and we feel for the families and folks affected."
Wilson also said it brings to light the importance of safety in the construction business.
The renaming of the beer and the fundraising will run through this weekend.
Meanwhile, across Charlotte, businesses are reacting to the massive fire that broke out Thursday, as firefighters continue working around the clock to suppress hot spots at the site.
A South Park business described the chaos that unfolded when the fire ignited.
“You don’t really realize how dangerous it is when you’re not that close to it," Monika Tamulevicicute, co-owner of Rock Box Fitness South Park, said. "Like seeing it with my own eyes across the street, it was so fast.”
Tamulevicicute said they were fearful the fire would reach their business.
“Just thinking right away, solving, what would we do in this situation," Tamulevicicute said.
She was grateful that wasn't the case due to the effort of the first responders.
Continuing coverage of 5-alarm Charlotte fire
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- See who owned the building that was under construction
- Charlotte's political leaders and witnesses share their stories