State Board Deactivates Electrician License After Dorm Fire Hazard

City officials moved quickly after a December fire marshal inspection identified wiring conditions in The District at West Market that posed a significant safety risk. On Dec. 23 the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors deactivated the license of the electrician who worked on the building while the board conducts a formal review. The contractor consented to placing the electrical contracting license on inactive status; a final board order is expected after the board’s March 19, 2026 meeting.

The December inspections uncovered three housing code violations tied to the electrical system that affected six floors of the building. A separate zoning inspection on Dec. 17 flagged a zoning code violation, noting the property is limited to use as a private dorm for exclusively student residents, a restriction that may not be being observed. The building had been closed for two weeks as of Dec. 30 and will remain without power for the duration of the state board’s investigation.

City of Greensboro officials characterized the situation as an acute safety threat. "This is a fire hazard, and I'm talking a major fire hazard," said Eric Chilton, the city's strategic and crisis communications manager. The city said it is exploring legal avenues to hold Pfalzgraf Communities, the property owner, accountable for the conditions found during inspections.

For displaced residents, immediate support has been coordinated by the City of Greensboro and the Greensboro Housing Coalition. Qualifying residents can receive a $1,000 housing stipend and a $100 meal voucher; those funds will be available through Jan. 31, 2026. The building’s closure and loss of power have left students and other occupants scrambling to find alternative housing and to secure personal belongings until inspectors clear the property.

The State Board stressed the importance of using licensed contractors and ensuring work is permitted and inspected by local authorities to protect building safety. The enforcement action underscores broader regulatory responsibilities of property owners and contractors in Guilford County, especially in buildings housing large numbers of residents.

As the board completes its review and the city considers legal steps against the owner, residents and families will be watching the March 19 meeting outcome and the city’s next moves. In the interim, displaced occupants must rely on the short-term assistance now in place while regulators determine what repairs and code corrections are necessary for the building to reopen safely.