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Building inspectors to assess damage Tuesday from large fire at Raleigh Convention Center
Building inspectors will begin looking at the damage to the roof of the Raleigh Convention Center Tuesday after a large fire sent flames shooting into the downtown sky Monday night.
Building inspectors will begin looking at the damage to the roof of the Raleigh Convention Center Tuesday after a large fire sent flames shooting into the downtown sky Monday night.
The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. It ran the entire length of the roof, according to a post from the Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association on Tuesday.
The blaze was found to be "gas fueled" after an initial investigation, the association said.
The fire was contained to the roof and did not spread to the inside of the building, City of Raleigh spokeswoman Julia Milstead told WRAL. It took firefighters about 40 minutes to put the fire out.
There were no injuries reported. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
While flames and smoke billowed over downtown Raleigh, attracting plenty of attention from those in nearby condos, hotel rooms and on the street, the fire did not spread to any nearby buildings, and lights were visible inside the convention center – an indication that power remained on there.
Milstead said security officers were inside the convention center at time the fire broke out, but they were able to quickly get out of the building. The fire was contained within an hour.
Witnesses shared videos of the fire with WRAL, which showed smoke and flames shooting from the roof, minutes after it started.
Officials said about 50 firefighters responded to the scene. No events were happening at the center at the time.
Mayor Janet Cowell said the convention center is an "important civic asset" and said officials will be at the city hall Tuesday to get more information.
"I hope we can repair damage and have it back functioning normally as soon as possible," Cowell said.
WRAL checked the Raleigh Convention Center’s website. The North Carolina Cybersecurity Summit is scheduled to host their convention on Wednesday and Thursday, while Advance Community Health is scheduled to host a Holiday Party Friday.
Although Milstead said there was no damage to the inside of the center, it is not clear how the fire will potentially impact those and other future events scheduled at the Raleigh Convention Center.
WRAL’s Kat Campbell said that light winds helped firefighters battle the flames and smoke. However, Campbell also noted, the Triangle is expected to receive nearly one inch of rain Tuesday. It is not clear if the damage to the convention center roof was such that rain might leak inside.
By 10:45 p.m., firefighters were reducing operations. Crews were on the scene into the overnight hours with the scene clear by 4 a.m.
The North Carolina Cybersecurity Summit is scheduled to host their convention on Wednesday and Thursday…although Milstead said there was no damage to the inside of the center, it is not clear how the fire will potentially impact those and other future events scheduled at the Raleigh Convention Center.
https://www.wral.com/news/local/flames-raleigh-convention-center-nov-2025/