A large portion of a building was destroyed in a mid-morning fire at a closed lumber mill east of Cottageville, SC Saturday morning 09-July. A caller to 9-1-1 reported the building was heavily involved and involved stacks of lumber. Colleton County Fire-Rescue (SC) Engine 9 arrived to find the structure well involved and a portion of the roof had already collapsed.

Firefighters deployed multiple 2-1/2 and 1-3/4 handlines to combat the blaze. A second alarm was requested for additional tenders and personnel. Mutual aid was also requested from Dorchester County Fire-Rescue, who responded with personnel from the Sandhill Station.

The building contained several conveyor systems used to process lumber. When the plant closed over five years ago, the processes were ongoing. Conveyors still contained raw timber (uncut trees), several lines of raw and finished lumber, and approximately a dozen carts for finished lumber stacked five feet in height with wood products. The rear portion of the building was a total loss, including most of the machinery, however firefighters were able to stop the advance of the fire to the front portion of the building, saving half of the structure.

Firefighters endured 104 degree temperatures and were on the scene for 4-1/2 hours.  Water supply was conducted with a water shuttle using a dry hydrant located 2 miles from the scene. There was no power to the building and it is believed the fire started from a lighting strike during a severe thunder storm earlier in the morning.

Engine 9, Engine 902, Engine 19, Tender 2, Tender 9, Tender 19, Tender 27, Tender 32, Medic 1, Medic 9, Medic 19, Battalion 1, Car 107 and two Dorchester County units responded.

Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo