One person killed in Pines of Wilmington apartment fire

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One person has died in a fire at an apartment complex in Wilmington.

Wilmington fire crews responded around 9:45 this morning to the Pines of Wilmington apartment complex on Constitution Boulevard.

Fire crews confirm one woman died.

Buddy Holden lives directly above the apartment that caught fire, and was friends with the woman who lived there.

“I was in my underwear, they knocked on my door, and I just grabbed my clothes, shoes, everything and ran out. And there was smoke everywhere,” said Holden.

Holden says the woman was disabled, and he would do favors for her.

“I’d meet her every day. I’d come outside, and she’d want like a cigarette, food, money, and I’d go to the store for her.”

The Wilmington Fire Department says the woman was on fire in her wheelchair when they arrived.

They took her to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, but she could not be saved.

They say the cause of that fire was smoking materials.

“Everybody in the whole neighborhood just trying to take it in right now. Because everybody in the neighborhood knows her,” said Holden.

Holden says the woman’s cousin, who she was very close with, came over to check on her every day.

The cousin did not want to speak on camera, and was visibly distraught over the sudden loss.

“We’re all gonna miss her. Good neighbor, never bothered nobody,” said Holden.