Brother says Carrboro fire victim was caring, working to get his life together
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- A fire at Hillmont Condominiums destroyed eight units and displaced numerous residents.
- Fire Chief Will Potter said a firewall stopped flames from spreading further.
- Officials confirmed 53-year-old Thomas Owens Jr. died in the Carrboro blaze.
A huge fire that tore through part of a Carrboro apartment complex Monday and destroyed eight units also left a man dead and displaced numerous residents.
On Tuesday, officials confirmed that 53-year-old Thomas Owens Jr. died in the fire.
Fire officials said flames swept across the second floor of the Hillmont Condominiums on Fidelity Street and damaged nearby units. However, the town’s fire chief said the flames stopped short of spreading further because of a firewall.
“That firewall did its job. That’s what kept it from continuing to be much worse,” said Fire Chief Will Potter. “Several of the residents were, had evacuated before we arrived. We assisted some with evacuation. And then we started evacuating the units that were farther down the line to make sure that everybody was safe throughout that.”
However, Owens did not survive. His brother, Jason Owens, visited the scene Tuesday, filled with emotion as he reflected on their final conversations and his brother’s efforts to rebuild his life.
“I didn’t sleep much last night. But I got a hold of the pastor from church, and he prayed with me,” Jason Owens said.
Jason Owens said his brother had been living at the complex for several years and was working to recover after personal setbacks.
“He told me, ‘I’m going to get right Jason. I’m going to get my life together and keep praying.’ And he said, he said, ‘I love you. I love you,” Jason Owens said.
He described his brother as selfless and compassionate.
“Just someone that always cares about me and compassion and the heart he had. Always willing to give his last to somebody else to make sure they were all right first,” said Jason Owens.
Fire investigation, recovery underway
Fire officials spent Tuesday assessing the building’s structural integrity and working with property management to help displaced residents recover their belongings. The building’s charred second floor still stands exposed.
“We’re meeting with property management and a building inspector and some of the fire investigators to look through the property and really determine what the next steps are for these property owners to try to get them back into their residences as soon as possible,” Potter said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Friends and family of Tommy Owens say they plan to hold something special in his honor soon.
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