Fire Chief: Man accused of impersonating firefighter at scene of deadly fire in Morganton

Matthew Memrick
·1 min read

MORGANTON (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man impersonated a firefighter and interfered with operations at an early-morning Morganton fire that killed a woman, Fire Chief Whisnant said.

Authorities confirmed the woman who died in the fire will be identified pending family notification.

Emergency personnel went to the large fire just after midnight in the 200 block of Morehead Street in Morganton. When firefighters arrived, a man was at the scene, dressed in FDNY turnout gear, and attempting to put out the fire with a garden hose.

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As Morganton fire staff started extinguishing the fire, Christopher Victor Miglino, 37, refused to leave the property and let the emergency personnel work.

After multiple commands, additional units responded and took the Morganton man into custody. Miglino was charged with the following:

  • Resist, delay, obstruct public officer

  • Impersonating a firefighter/medical personnel

  • City ordinance violation (obedience to fire personnel)

The man did not receive a bond as he was currently on pre-trial release. His court date is set for April 18. Burke EMS, Morganton City Electric, and Piedmont Gas responded to assist with fire ground operations. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the fire scene.

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Just before 4:30 a.m., public safety officials said firefighters were still on-scene handling the fire efforts. The NC SBI is assisting local authorities with this investigation.

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