Pike’s Soda Fountain Kitchen Fire In South End Under State Investigation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - State labor officials confirmed they are investigating a kitchen fire that occurred last week at Pike’s Soda Fountain in South End.

The March 11 fire that left an employee hospitalized for more than a week for burns was caused by a natural gas leak, fire investigators told Charlotte ABC affiliate WSOCTV. The station reported that state officials had no record of the fire until they contacted them. Federal law requires employers notify labor officials within 24 hours following an accident that requires hospitalization. Failure to do so could lead to a fine of $2,500.

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“The OSH Division has opened an inspection with Pike’s Soda Shop,” North Carolina Department of Labor spokesperson, Mary Katherine Pegram, told Charlotte Patch Tuesday.

“Inspections usually take several months to complete,” Pegram added. “The purpose of the inspection is to determine whether or not any occupational safety and health standards were violated and if the violation contributed to the incident.”

WSOCTV’s report on the fire and state labor inspection may be found here.

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