Food left unattended on a stove was ruled the cause of the last of three fires Albemarle Fire Department battled in a span of about seven hours.
Crews were dispatched at 6:20 a.m. Friday to Apt. 6 at 121 Heath St.

Battalion Chief 1102, Engine 111, Engine 121, Engine 131 and Chief Shawn Oke responded. The first on the scene found light smoke showing from the apartment. A fire in the kitchen was quickly discovered and brought under control, leaving damage to the kitchen from heat and smoke.
Damage to the building was estimated at $4,000, with contents valued at $1,500.

“Residents are reminded to never leave items on the stove unattended,” Oke said. “If cooking items on the stove someone should remain in the area monitoring the items being cooked. Everyone is reminded to be sure you have a working smoke alarms in your house.”
Battalion Chief 1102, Engine 111, Engine 121 and Engine 132 were dispatched at 11:31 p.m. Thursday for a fire at 118 S. Hill Ave.

Twelve firefighters responded, including one who was off duty.

Fire Department units arrived to find an outbuilding fully inflamed, with the fire spreading to the adjacent house. The damage to the house was significant in the utility room and exterior of the house, officials reported.
Damage to the house was estimated at $10,000, with damage to contests at $2,000. There was also $3,000 damage to an outbuilding, with contents estimated at $3,500.

A neighboring house at 120 S. Hill Ave. sustained damage from radiant heat. Damage was estimated at $6,000 to the structure, with around $200 content damage.

Albemarle Police, Stanly County EMS and Albemarle Public Utilities assisted at the scene.

Battalion Chief 1102, Engine 121 and Engine 131 were dispatched to a 1:09 a.m. Friday fire at 1215 Columbus St.

There were 12 firefighters at the scene, including four who were off duty.

Bethany and Eastside Volunteer Fire Departments assisted due to the Albemarle units being at the South Hill fire.

Damage to an outbuilding was estimated at $3,000, with damage to contents estimated at $1,200. Damage to the house was estimated at $8,000. The house was vacant.

No one was injured in any of the fires.

The cause of the two fires remain under investigation by Albemarle Fire Marshal Michael Roark.