RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina High School Athletic Association postponed Saturday’s 2025 Cheerleading Invitational after a rooftop fire forced the temporary closure of the Raleigh Convention Center, leaving hundreds of teams, coaches, and families waiting for updates as officials assess the damage and determine next steps.
The fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. Monday on the convention center roof, sending flames and smoke across downtown. Raleigh firefighters contained the blaze within minutes, avoiding what officials described as a potentially disastrous situation.
“This could have easily been a catastrophic event with a building of 500,000 square feet,” Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin said Tuesday. He estimated roof damage at about $2 million, adding that a natural gas feed was discovered during the response. Firefighters requested the gas be shut off to bring the blaze under control.
Security officers were inside the building when the fire started but exited safely. No injuries were reported.
The NCHSAA confirmed the postponement in a statement late Tuesday morning, citing ongoing cleanup, structural review, and uncertainty around venue availability.
“The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, after consultation with the Raleigh Convention Center, will postpone Saturday’s 2025 Cheerleading Invitational,” the association said. “Our priority is to find a safe, appropriate solution for our participants, coaches, officials, and families. We are actively reviewing available options and will provide an update as soon as plans are confirmed.”
The decision affects programs statewide preparing for one of North Carolina’s largest cheer events, which typically draws thousands of athletes and spectators. Many coaches learned of the postponement as news spread about the overnight fire.
City officials said water and residue from firefighting covered parts of the interior Tuesday morning. Temporary roofing will be installed to prevent further water damage.
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell called the situation “complex” with “a lot of moving parts,” noting that it may take time to reopen the venue for normal operations.
Firefighters reached the scene within two minutes of the 911 call, far faster than the national standard of just under five minutes, Griffin said. Crews attacked the fire from the roof and inside the stairwell, hauling equipment from the ground to the top of the structure.
Broadcastify radio traffic captured the first units confirming the flames were “gas-fed” and “running the entire length of the roof.”
“What goes into rooftop extinguisher operation is very difficult,” Griffin said. “They had to connect to the fire department connection on the ground, take all hoses upstairs, and fight the fire from the top of the roof.”
Within 25 minutes of dispatch, the fire was contained and extinguished. Investigators continued assessing the gas leak’s origin on Tuesday.
Drone footage released by officials showed heavy charring on sections of the roof but no visible interior damage. Cowell emphasized that the fire did not spread to neighboring structures, including nearby hotels and residential buildings overlooking the convention center.
The convention center had no events underway Monday night, but its calendar for the week included the North Carolina Cybersecurity Summit, a community organization’s holiday party, and several weekend events.
City engineers began structural assessments Tuesday morning to determine whether the building can operate partially, fully, or not at all while repairs continue. Cowell said the timeline remains unclear.
Light winds helped firefighters control the smoke, but the Triangle’s forecast — nearly an inch of rain on Tuesday — raised questions about whether the compromised roof could withstand incoming weather. Temporary coverings were being installed quickly.
Dana Hariton, whose family was at a DECA event at the center earlier Monday, said the fire felt surreal.
“Knowing there were thousands of people there during the day puts a tug in your heart,” she said. “It could have been a very different scenario if people were in the building when the fire happened.”
The NCHSAA has not announced when or where the Cheerleading Invitational will take place, and officials said the decision will depend on the condition of the Raleigh Convention Center and the availability of alternative venues.
For continued coverage of cheerleading events across North Carolina, visit CheerDaily.com for developing updates.
