One of the two remains authorities found on Friday is that of a construction worker whose family claims he begged for help on Facebook Live just before he perished in a Charlotte, North Carolina, construction site fire.
Following the fatal fire Thursday at a multistory building that seemed to be under construction, two construction workers were still missing.
Insufficient visibility made it difficult for firefighters to approach the two workers, Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson said at a news conference on Friday.
Another firm was brought in to help guide them out after crews tried to track their sound but failed to find them, he added.
Demonte Sherrill was one of the employees, according to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.
He was described as a dedicated worker, a devoted parent, and a family man by his family. Lyles remarked, “I want the Sherrill family to know that we are grieving alongside you, especially the children.
CNN confirms the news on their official Twitter account:
A construction worker pleaded for help on Facebook Live before he died in a construction site fire in Charlotte, North Carolina, family members told CNN affiliate WSOC https://t.co/UDQDZGGQkI
— CNN (@CNN) May 19, 2023
Son Dies in Fire, Mother Watches on Facebook Live
Onita Sherrill, Sherrill’s mother, told the television station that she witnessed the final moments of her son’s life on Facebook Live as he begged for assistance and prayed to find a safe place.
I was hoping, but just watching (Facebook Live) and watching the smoke fill the room made me realize there was no hope.
According to the station, Sherril’s father, Terry Campbell, claimed that his son’s boss informed him that Sherril did not survive.
Sherrill’s employer told WSOC on Friday that a second employee from his business perished in the blaze.
“This fire has been difficult for our community, and our firefighters continue to diligently work on scene to find answers,” the Charlotte Fire Department tweeted.
The cause of the fire, which was found to be accidental in origin, is still being looked into. According to Johnson, the fire was sparked in a spray insulation foam trailer on the bottom floor.
According to Johnson, more than 90 firefighters worked to save the construction workers.
The fire spread quickly, he claimed, with temperatures reaching 2,000 degrees.
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Firefighters saved a crane operator who was trapped above the fire, which broke out around 9 a.m., according to a tweet from Mayor Lyles.
According to WSOC, the structure being built was an apartment complex with several stories.
Sherrill was working at the scene with 15 other people when the fire started, according to Johnson in a prior press conference. However, the mayor said on Friday that 15 construction workers had been saved.
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