02/15/2012 – Mutual Aid Structure Fire – “B” & “C” Shifts

Incident # 12-00873 -  A dozen Colleton Firefighters responded as mutual aid to assist eight other fire departments with a large commercial structure fire at Simmons Truck Stop/Golden Crown Motel located in the Town of Yemassee in Hampton County. The mutual aid request came in to the Colleton 9-1-1 Center at 04:54, Wednesday morning requesting personnel and Tenders for a commercial fire at 105 Jackson Road in Yemassee. Two Tenders, a Medic Unit, a Supervisor and several other personnel were assigned to the incident. According to a press release, eight other fire departments also sent assistance including Burton and City of Beaufort. Over 70 firefighters responded. The fire had been burning for most of the early morning. The facility was a former truck stop and Motel, but is presently used as a salvage yard and recycling operation. Some tenants still lived in the older motel. The fire spread through the entire facility of attached, modified buildings, destroying the interior of the complex. 

The second floor of the motel failed during the morning causing the second floor to pancake onto the first floor creating additional access problems for firefighters. A mechanics shop, stored tires, salvaged materials and automotive fluids were also burning. Firefighters used multiple handlines and a deck gun in the platform of the Hampton County Ladder Truck to combat the flames. Heavy equipment was also used to remove debris. Later into the incident, the IC requested Colleton County’s ARFF Unit. The ARFF was used to distribute large quantities of water and foam into the interior of the building to extinguish the tires and flammable liquids. Colleton units were released in the mid-afternoon.  

Tender 1, Tender 8, Medic 1, ARFF 19, Car 109, Car 118 and Car 119 responded from Colleton County.