Calls to 911 in Raleigh reported heavy flames coming from the Raleigh Convention Center starting just before 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 1.
"I see, like, a big fire, a huge fire right in front of me, right in front of the convention center," the first caller told dispatchers at 9:29 p.m.
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Downtown residents and visitors, in condos, apartments and hotels, spotted flames and smoke coming from the roof of the building and called 911.
"The convention center is on fire. Massive fire. The smoke is blowing to the sky," another caller said.
Detail about the timeline comes from 911 calls and Broadcastify radio traffic released Thursday.
Within five minutes, police were blocking off streets around the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh.
Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin said firefighters quickly established that the fire, on the roof, was fed by gas.
"When the incident commander and the units got on top of the roof is when they realized that there was a natural gas feed," Griffin said.
Within 10 minutes of the first 911 call, gas provider Embridge was called to turn off the gas to the building.
By 9:54 p.m., dispatchers reported, "part of fire under control. Gas-fed fire still not under control."
Gas company representatives arrived at 10:02, according to the radio traffic.
The gas line was "secure" according to Broadcastify radio traffic, by 10:28 p.m., and a minute later firefighters ruled "fire under control."
