Beaufort Firefighters Battle Blaze at Local Industry
In the heart of Beaufort County, a serious situation unfolded on Thursday, November 21st, as firefighters from several local departments rushed to a building fire at Greenline Industries located on Trask Parkway. Just before noon, an employee of the company called 911 to report smoke and flames, prompting swift action to evacuate the premises.
What Happened?
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they were greeted by a troubling sight: smoke billowing from the top of an outdoor sawdust collector. The quick-thinking team wasted no time and climbed up to the collector to assess the situation. After opening an access door, they quickly located the source of the fire. However, they soon realized that this was no ordinary fire; it was deep-seated within the tower’s sawdust—a significant challenge!
Getting the Upper Hand
Realizing they needed more water to tackle this beast, they called for backup. A ladder truck from the Beaufort/Port Royal fire department arrived on the scene, equipped with an elevated master stream device. This impressive piece of equipment allowed the firefighters to deliver large volumes of water into the tower, essentially saturating the sawdust and finally getting the upper hand on the fire.
The Battle Continues
Despite the challenges, firefighters remained on site for a grueling three hours, battling the blaze and ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Thanks to their expertise and teamwork, no injuries were reported, and damages were confined to the exterior sawdust tower. This decisive action minimized the potential for a more disastrous outcome.
Cause of the Fire
Investigations revealed that the fire was sparked by an errant welding spark from ongoing work on the tower. Thankfully, employees at Greenline Industries acted promptly by using fire extinguishers to contain the flames until firefighters arrived, preventing the fire from spreading and limiting the damages.
Community Praise
The local community has responded positively to the efforts of the firefighters, with residents expressing gratitude for their quick response and professionalism. In a close-knit community like Beaufort, people understand the importance of having reliable emergency services and the careful handling of hazardous situations. This incident has reaffirmed that notion!
Conclusion: A Close Call
As the smoke clears and the embers cool, Beaufort County can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that no lives were lost and damages were kept to a minimum. The quick action of the firefighters, as well as the caution displayed by the employees, played a crucial role in managing this potentially catastrophic incident. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in industrial workplaces and the readiness of local emergency services to respond in times of need.
Let’s take a moment to thank our local heroes who continue to keep our community safe, always ready to spring into action when it matters most!