CCFR December 6 2009

Stations 3, 4, 7, 18, 19, 23 and 26 responded to a commercial structure fire at the P and D Grocery Store located at 27499 Lowcountry Hwy in the Town of Smoaks, Sunday morning 6-December at 0420. Engine 18 arrived to find heavy fire conditions inside the structure and the roof at the rear of the building had already collapsed, indicating the fire had been burning for quite some time before it was reported. Flames were shooting 20 feet into the early morning sky. Firefighters used the deck gun to attempt to knock down the flames and deployed several handlines in the effort. Battalion 1 arrived at 0440 and issued a second alarm.

Crews used three 1-3/4 handlines, one 2-1/2 handline, a deck gun and the master stream from Ladder 19. Six 3000 gallon Tenders conducted a continuous water shuttle for 2-1/2 hours to meet the water supply needs of the operation refilling from a pressurized fire hydrant about ¼ of a mile from the scene. Firefighters had the bulk of the fire knocked down within 1-1/2 hours , but were on the scene for 5 hours performing overhaul and investigating the cause. Initial firefighting efforts were hampered by burglar bars on the windows and doors until crews used power saws to remove them. Fire Investigators determined thefire originated in the main electrical panel near the rear of the building and extended into the ceiling of the approximately 5600 sq ft block building. The

	Stations 3, 4, 7, 18, 19, 23 and 26 responded to a commercial structure fire at the P and D Grocery Store located at 27499 Lowcountry Hwy in the Town of Smoaks, Sunday morning 6-December at 0420. Engine 18 arrived to find heavy fire conditions inside the structure and the roof at the rear of the building had already collapsed, indicating the fire had been burning for quite some time before it was reported. Flames were shooting 20 feet into the early morning sky. Firefighters used the deck gun to attempt to knock down the flames and deployed several handlines in the effort. Battalion 1 arrived at 0440 and issued a second alarm. Crews used three 1-3/4 handlines, one 2-1/2 handline, a deck gun and the master stream from Ladder 19. Six 3000 gallon Tenders conducted a continuous water shuttle for 2-1/2 hours to meet the water supply needs of the operation refilling from a pressurized fire hydrant about ¼ of a mile from the scene. Firefighters had the bulk of the fire knocked down within 1-1/2 hours , but were on the scene for 5 hours performing overhaul and investigating the cause. Initial firefighting efforts were hampered by burglar bars on the windows and doors until crews used power saws to remove them. Fire Investigators determined thefire originated in the main electrical panel near the rear of the building and extended into the ceiling of the approximately 5600 sq ft block building. The
	main building served as a country store in this rural community. The store operated a filling station, a kitchen which served daily meals and a flea market. The main building had an addition which served as a warehouse and storage area for the store and the flea market. Firefighters were able to stop the flames from completely destroying the attached warehouse, however that portion of the building suffered heat and smoke damage. Firefighters were also able to save some items from the flea market before being driven out by the fire. Thirty firefighters responded to the incident. Sheriff’s Deputies detoured traffic on US Hwy 21 for several hours during the early morning fire. No injuries were reported. Engine 7, Engine 18, Tender 3, Tender 4, Tender 7, Tender 18, Tender 23, Tender 26, Ladder 19, Medic 18, Medic 26, Squad 23, Battalion 1, Truck 12 and Car 17 responded. Battalion Chief Richard Sheffield served as Incident Commander.