CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Fire Department is battling a blaze that reached 5 alarms at a storage facility in southwest Charlotte overnight.

The call came in just before midnight Wednesday, Charlotte Fire Captain Jackie Gilmore said, after a passing driver noticed smoke coming from a storage unit in the 10100 block of S. Tryon Street. 

Crews began working to gain entry into the affected units and removed items that could further fuel the flames.

Around 1:30 a.m., as Gilmore said crews realized the fire was getting too far ahead of them, Charlotte Fire crews pulled a fourth alarm. Police, fire and medic are currently on scene, including roughly 95 firefighters, helping control the fire and surrounding area.

Gilmore says a fifth alarm has been pulled to call in additional crews to relieve those that have been working the site throughout the morning hours.

An excavator is also on scene to help firefighters "get to the seat of the fire." 

"Due to the complexity of the structure and the amount of items that are stored inside the structure, it's going to be some time before we get inside to determine the exact cause of the fire," Gilmore said during a morning news conference.

At this time, no injuries have been reported.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes for their morning commute.

The investigation is ongoing. Check back for updates.

Credit: @CharlotteFD Twitter

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