Charlotte Fire Crews Execute Heroic Rescue of Trapped Firefighter

Charlotte Firefighter Richard Anderson, reflecting on the dedication and teamwork that brought him and his colleagues through a life-threatening rescue. 

By Kevin Campbell, Charlotte Fire 

In the early morning hours of October 15, what began as a routine fire response escalated into a life-or-death situation for Charlotte Fire crews. As flames engulfed a home on Ledger Court in the Ballantyne area, firefighter Richard Anderson found himself trapped beneath a mountain of debris when a portion of the structure collapsed. What followed was a harrowing rescue mission that tested the courage, resilience, and unity of every firefighter on the scene. 

Just five days earlier, several of the same firefighters, including Firefighter Bart Bell, Captain Jeff Bright, Captain James Ingold, and Engineer Dennis White, had returned from Yancey County, North Carolina, where they assisted in rescue and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. This rescue mission was another critical test of their strength and skill, placing them in another high-stakes situation, but this time, it was one of their own who needed rescuing. 

Anderson at the Charlotte Fire Headquarters, where his commitment to his role and his crew is visibly evident. 

The call came in just after 1:30 a.m., with Engine 32, led by Captain Ingold, among the first to arrive. They found flames tearing through the garage and threatening to consume the entire home. Shortly after, Rescue 10—led by Captain Bright, with Firefighters Bell, Michael Brewer, Clayton Llewellyn, and Engineer White—arrived and was assigned as the rapid intervention crew (RIC), tasked with springing into action if any firefighter encountered trouble. 

For Captain Ingold, the Ledger Court fire was yet another chance to do the work he loves and to be there for his crew in a time of need. “Firefighters want to go where things aren’t good and make them better. That’s what we signed up for,” he explained. Ingold, whose career has always centered around being on the fire truck, noted the satisfaction he gets from being in a profession he loves, especially when that dedication could mean the difference in saving a life. “This was an opportunity to be in the right place at the right time and use all the training I’ve spent years building,” he said. 

Ingold and his team initially focused on getting water on the blaze, working to knock down the flames before turning their attention to a significant threat—the fire had spread to a gas-fed line. Ingold’s team shut off the natural gas line feeding the fire on the Bravo side, helping to bring the situation under control. However, after regrouping with his crew and ensuring they were supplied with fresh air, Ingold heard Captain Bright’s urgent warning over the radio: "Avoid the Bravo Charlie corner of the structure on the second floor." 

Captain Bright at Rescue 10, whose decisive actions and leadership were critical during the intense moments of the rescue. 

Four seconds later, the unthinkable happened. The corner of the house collapsed, trapping Anderson beneath the debris. Thirteen seconds later, Captain Michael Evans of Engine 24 issued the Mayday: “Mayday, mayday, mayday.”  

Firefighter Anderson recalled the moments leading up to his entrapment. Initially assigned to assist with interior suppression, he and his team were helping move hose to the second floor to support the nozzle crew already advancing into the bonus room over the garage. As he approached a corner in the room, Anderson felt the floor give way slightly beneath him. He immediately turned to his captain to warn him, “Watch out, floor’s getting spongy,” Anderson recounted. But before anyone could react, the floor collapsed. “It felt like I fell 40 feet,” he described, “and it felt like it took 10 minutes.” 

Capturing Anderson with his station in the background, a reminder of the sacrifices made by firefighters each day. 

Once the dust settled, Anderson found himself pinned beneath layers of debris with limited movement. His air supply was dangerously low, his mic ripped from his gear, and his PASS device—a critical alarm that sounds when a firefighter is motionless—was muffled by the weight above him. As he tried to stay calm and evaluate his options, Anderson realized his self-rescue efforts were futile. “I was reaching for my cutters, trying to get my air pack free, but everything was just too tight. There was nothing I could do to self-extricate,” he said. He began conserving his remaining air, hoping the team could reach him in time. 

Captain Ingold spotted flashlights through a hole in the collapsed structure and immediately called out, encouraging Anderson to follow the light to safety. “I got down on my knees and started yelling to them if they could get to me, they could get out,” Ingold recalled. Though Anderson ultimately exited through another route, Ingold quickly turned his focus to making a path toward the trapped firefighter. Ingold reached Anderson first, assessing his entrapment and realizing he was perilously low on air. The only way to provide relief was a RIC pack regulator swap, and Ingold walked Anderson through the process. "He told me, ‘Just let me know when you’re ready,’” Anderson recalled, “and I took that last breath, twisted it off, and he twisted the new one in. I took a breath and thought, ‘Alright, calm down.’” 

Captain Ingold, who led his crew through the critical initial moments at Ledger Court, embodying the dedication and experience essential to Charlotte Fire's operations. 

Meanwhile, Bell and Brewer, who were positioned on another side of the structure, joined in the effort to reach Anderson. The sound of Anderson’s faint PASS device was their guide, signaling his location and their urgency to reach him. Bell noted their biggest concern was the potential for additional collapse as they worked. “The floor trusses were hanging down, the carpet and insulation sagging. We couldn’t just cut through the floor—we might have hit him directly,” Bell explained, adding that they relied on hand tools and cautiously worked their way through void spaces, taking advantage of any pockets or small openings they could find. 

Reflecting on the mental focus required during those tense moments, Bell shared, “We were thinking about the next step—getting him air, getting him out—and staying focused because we knew how close this was.” 

Firefighter Bell outside Rescue 10, showcasing the unity of the team who played a crucial role in the Ledger Court rescue. 

Once Anderson was supplied with a stable air source, the team was able to work more systematically, navigating the wreckage as Engineer White coordinated essential tools like chainsaws and airbags to aid the operation. Eventually, Anderson was able to climb out with assistance. Reflecting on the successful rescue, Captain Bright later remarked, "Without that, the end result wouldn’t have been as positive." 

The significance of the rescue did not end with Anderson’s release from the wreckage. For Anderson, the ordeal continued in ways he hadn’t anticipated. As soon as he was brought to safety, his thoughts turned to his wife, Lindsay. He recounted how Battalion Chief Michael Gerin called her around 2:30 a.m. to let her know what had happened. “She gets this call from my number, and it’s a Battalion Chief,” he shared. “They told her, ‘Hey, we’re coming to get you. He’s on his way to the hospital. We’ve got him out.’ She didn’t even know what was happening, and I can only imagine how hard that was for her in that moment.” 

Anderson’s helmet, a symbol of the grit and courage required in the face of intense fire conditions. 

It wasn’t until she was en route to the hospital that she was reassured Anderson was alert and responsive. “I’m trying to see it from her perspective,” Anderson shared, his voice emotional. “It’s easy for me to talk about now, but I realize how hard it must’ve been for her, not knowing exactly what was happening, only that something serious had happened to her husband.” 

The incident underscored the brotherhood and unity that binds Charlotte Fire. Bell described the aftermath as both humbling and empowering. “That’s what you train for,” he shared, his voice a mixture of pride and humility. “Knowing we made a difference in a fellow firefighter’s life—it’s a feeling of accomplishment. That’s why we do this.” 

Anderson, moments after reflecting on the intense rescue at Ledger Court, stands ready in his firefighting gear, embodying the resilience and commitment of Charlotte Fire’s finest.

Anderson himself reflected on his journey in the days that followed, recognizing how the experience underscored his commitment to the profession. “I love this job,” he said. “I do it because I love the aspect of helping, of saving, of knowing we’re there on someone’s worst day to make it better. I wish I had found it earlier in life. It’s what I want to do, and being here with my crew, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.” 

Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson praised the efforts of the crew, emphasizing their professionalism and courage. “The bravery and skill displayed by these firefighters that night reflect the very best of Charlotte Fire. Their actions in a dangerous situation saved a life, and we are immensely proud of their efforts.” 

For the firefighters on scene that morning, the Ledger Court blaze will be remembered not just for the fire they fought, but for the life they saved and the teamwork that brought dozens of Charlotte Fire personnel together in a moment of crisis. Their unified response serves as a testament to the dedication and courage of all who answered the call.