New Hanover County dedicates new Castle Hayne fire station after health investigation

New Hanover County dedicated its new 11,500-square-foot Station 13 in Castle Hayne, which began operations Jan. 5 and includes water filtration and decontamination areas.

New Hanover County held a dedication ceremony for a new fire station in Castle Hayne that began operations Jan. 5. The 11,500-square-foot Station 13 cost $10 million and replaces a volunteer firehouse that had served the area since 1983. County officials described updated apparatus bays, private sleeping quarters, reinforced construction for severe weather, water filtration systems and decontamination areas. The dedication follows a health investigation last year into concerns at the old Station 13 building. Key details: - Station 13 is 11,500 square feet, cost $10 million, and began operations Jan. 5. - The new building replaces a volunteer firehouse that served Castle Hayne since 1983. - The facility includes updated apparatus bays, private sleeping quarters, reinforced construction for severe weather, and decontamination areas. - Officials reported the station uses two styles of water filtration and said they are confident the site poses no known health risk. - New Hanover County purchased the property in March 2022, broke ground in August 2024, Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects designed the project, and Samet Corporation handled construction. - New Hanover County Fire Rescue operates 14 stations in unincorporated areas, and a second new station off Gordon Road is under construction with a tentative spring opening. Summary: The new Station 13 offers updated facilities meant to support emergency responders and serve the county's northern region. The dedication comes after a prior health investigation into the former Castle Hayne building, and officials described added safety measures such as water filtration and decontamination areas. A second new station nearby remains under construction with a tentative spring opening.