CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Labor reached a settlement with two contractors involved in the deadly SouthPark fire that killed two construction workers in May 2023, officials confirmed Friday.
Baker Insulation and MCRT Carolinas both reached settlements with the state this week. A third contractor, Diversified Insulation, LLC, didn't contest citations levied in connection with the fire. All three were fined for health and safety violations following an investigation.
MCRT Carolinas agreed to pay the full $46,875 fine while removing one of the citations filed against the company. The settlement also includes a stipulation that requires the company to make certain improvements and changes to its health and safety program.
Baker Insulation's fine was reduced by 25% to $4,687.50 while maintaining the citations as "serious." The company must also make certain improvements and changes to its safety and health program, similar to the MCRT Carolinas agreement.
Over 90 firefighters rescued 15 people from the burning building on May 18, 2023. Firefighters were trying to reach the two men who died but had to evacuate the building due to the unsafe conditions. One firefighter said as the building began to collapse, he could see the victims on the sixth floor from three floors below.
"Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do," one firefighter said. "The conditions of the building were just too much at that point. They worsened and I had to escape. The second floor was engulfed in flames and smoke and I was barely able to escape in time."