Birmingham, AL – In South Birmingham’s Lakeview District, a massive fire destroyed an apartment complex under construction and sent a brave firefighter to the hospital, suffering a broken leg and two broken ankles. Fire officials responded to the fire just after midnight on Friday to the wood-framed structure that lacked windows and doors, which contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
Lakeview’s fire was one of the largest in recent history, according to the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. Over 150 people lost power and 30 were displaced due to the massive fire, and neighboring houses were damaged or evacuated, including a neighboring law office and home that was heavily damaged. More than 50 firefighters responded to the fire and were still fighting the uncontrollable blaze hours later.
This fire comes just weeks before the International Code Council’s (ICC) vote on an ordinance to allow weakened oversight over wooden high-rise structures, which are susceptible to devastating fires like the residents of Birmingham sadly experienced. Dominic Sims, CEO of the ICC, calls greater Birmingham home to his family and ICC office.
“It’s upsetting to know America’s bravest firefighters and first responders, like the courageous firefighter injured on Thursday, have to place their lives at risk for preventable building fires like this one,” said Kevin Lawlor, spokesperson for Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association consisting of community organizations, fire safety professionals, engineers, architects and industry experts committed to strengthening the nation’s building codes and ensuring greater access to secure housing. “It’s time to stand up for our first responders, our families and our communities to demand safer and stronger building materials. Lawmakers and leaders must recognize the incredible importance of strong building codes to do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies.
”Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), has launched a campaign to educate citizens, local and state officials, and industry experts about the inherent dangers of wood-framed construction, particularly in multi-story, residential and commercial buildings. As a grassroots organization, they work with local elected officials and industry workers, from architects to project managers to advocate for the safety benefits of working with concrete-based construction.
