Massive Fire Destroys Building at Camden Westwood Apartments in Morrisville, NC — 70 Displaced, 6 Injured
MORRISVILLE, N.C. — February 24, 2026
A devastating three-alarm fire tore through a 30-unit building at the Camden Westwood Apartments in Morrisville Monday night, injuring six people, killing one pet, and leaving approximately 70 residents without a home. The blaze — one of the most significant in recent Morrisville history — drew more than 50 firefighters from multiple departments and lit up the night sky near the Park West Village shopping center.
What We Know: Timeline of the Morrisville Apartment Fire
The fire began at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026, at the Camden Westwood Apartments located at 2100 Summit Ridge Loop, near the intersection of Chapel Hill Road and Weston Parkway. Spectrum News 1
The blaze quickly escalated to a three-alarm fire. It took an hour for fire crews from Morrisville, Apex, and Cary to get it under control. CBS17 However, the fire was not fully extinguished until just after 10 p.m., with firefighters remaining at the site early Tuesday morning to check for hot spots. wral
Firefighters arriving around 6:15 p.m. found the entire third floor in flames. Spectrum News 1 Sky 5 aerial footage and videos sent in by viewers showed flames shooting through the roof of the complex, with smoke visible for miles.
How the Fire Started
A fire that broke out Monday evening began on the patio of a first-floor unit and spread with the help of strong winds, authorities said. Spectrum News 1 Officials said the fire burned up through the attic and came back down. The apartment’s sprinkler system was working and “did its job” to suppress the flames. CBS17 Despite this, the building has been deemed a total loss. CBS17
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Wake County Fire Marshal.
Injuries, Rescues, and Casualties
Six people were injured in total. Five people were treated for smoke-related injuries at the scene. A sixth person was taken to UNC Hospitals for burns. ABC11
Morrisville Fire Chief Thomas Dooley Jr. highlighted the bravery of first responders during the chaotic rescue effort. “I’m very proud of the engine crews that saved the woman on the first floor,” Dooley said. “I’m very proud of the work effort from Cary Ladder 1, Engine 4 for the woman and child they saved in an apartment.” WRAL.com
In one harrowing moment, firefighters rescued a non-ambulatory elderly woman from the unit where the fire originated. “They made access through the front door, there was smoke, they couldn’t see, the only reason they knew she was there is because she was coughing in the smoke,” Dooley said. Spectrum News 1
Tragically, one pet — a dog — was killed in the fire. CBS17
70 Residents Displaced — Red Cross and NeighborUp Respond
All residents were displaced and temporarily staged in the leasing office. ABC11 The American Red Cross and local nonprofit NeighborUp were on site assessing needs and helping displaced residents secure short-term shelter. Hoodline
Morrisville Communications Director Erin Hudson said, “It is a difficult time. It’s a difficult situation. No one ever expects that that is something that’s going to happen. This is a time to rely on your neighbors, rely on your friends, rely on your community.” CBS17
Morrisville Fire Chief Dooley offered a message of perspective to those who lost everything: “Property can be replaced, people cannot.” CBS17
Local businesses near Park West Village have also stepped up, with nearby shops donating food and supplies to displaced victims.
Multi-Department Response: Over 50 Firefighters Deployed
More than 50 fire personnel responded, including crews from Cary and Apex, said Morrisville Mayor T.J. Cawley. Spectrum News 1 There were 22 units on the scene due to the mutual aid partnership between the municipalities. “This was never going to be a one-department fire,” said one official. WRAL.com
When asked whether Morrisville has adequate resources for fires of this scale, Chief Dooley expressed confidence in the regional partnership model: “We lean in on that partnership with Cary and Apex. We drop our jurisdictional lines. We do what’s best for our communities.” WRAL.com
A History of Fires at Camden Westwood Apartments
This is not the first time Camden Westwood has faced a major fire. In 2009, fire crews said a discarded cigarette led to a fire on the third floor that displaced a dozen people. In 2019, dozens of people were again displaced after a fire at the complex — and the cause of that fire remains undetermined to this day. WRAL.com
According to property records, Camden Westwood was built in 1998 and sits on 29 acres of land. The complex has about 350 total apartments, some of which include fireplaces, and features wood joists and aluminum vinyl siding. WRAL.com Questions about the integrity of the building’s fire systems are now being raised publicly for the third time in the complex’s nearly 30-year history.
WRAL News reached out to Camden Westwood property managers with several questions regarding fire inspection history and maintenance records. They stated they are not authorized to speak with media members. WRAL.com
Separate Shooting Incident at Park West Village
Morrisville Police say a person was shot and killed at the Park West shopping center a few hours after the fire started. Police have not said if there is a connection between the two incidents. WUNC Both scenes are being treated independently by investigators.
What Displaced Residents Should Know
- Shelter assistance: Contact the American Red Cross or NeighborUp for emergency housing support.
- Donations: Coordinated through the Camden Westwood leasing office.
- If you have information: Investigators and property managers are asking anyone with video or knowledge of how the fire started to come forward.
- Renters insurance: According to Camden’s renters insurance policy, all residents are required to carry a minimum of $100,000 in personal liability renters insurance throughout their lease. WRAL.com Nearly half of renters in the U.S. do not carry renter’s insurance — this fire is a stark reminder of why it matters.
Investigation Ongoing
The Office of the State Fire Marshal arrived Tuesday morning to survey the damage. The cause of the fire officially remains under investigation. Officials have not released a rebuilding or repair timeline.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as investigators release new findings.
Tags: Morrisville fire, Camden Westwood Apartments fire, Morrisville NC news, Morrisville apartment fire 2026, Wake County fire, Park West Village, Summit Ridge Loop fire, North Carolina apartment fire, Red Cross Morrisville, apartment fire displaced residents
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