SALISBURY, N.C. (March 28, 2026) – The Salisbury Fire Department responded to an early morning fire at the Wiley School Apartments, 211 Ridge Avenue. Dispatched at 6:24 a.m., crews arrived within three minutes, preventing widespread damage to the 65-unit complex.
The fire was contained to an apartment on the second floor. Residents were evacuated safely out of the building. "Our crews did an excellent job of responding quickly to control the fire," said Salisbury Fire Chief Bob Parnell.
Three residents were transported to local hospitals for medical care—one for thermal injuries and two for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported. The Red Cross is assisting residents impacted by the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Salisbury Fire Department was assisted on-site by units from Spencer, Granite Quarry, Kannapolis, Rowan County, and a special mobile air unit from the Cornatzer-Dulin VFD of Davie County.
For more information please contact Community Engagement Director Anne Little at anne.little@salisburync.gov or (317) 446-8543.
The City of Salisbury is located in the heart of the Piedmont region of North Carolina, midway between Charlotte and Greensboro. Salisbury is the county seat of Rowan County, and provides a full range of municipal services, including law enforcement, fire service protection, zoning and code enforcement and water and sewer systems. For more information regarding the City of Salisbury and its services and departments, please visit us on the web at www.salisburync.gov. To receive updates regarding local initiatives, meetings, programs and events, please follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CitySalisburyNC.