NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Investigators were trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a medical building here that caused hundreds of people to flee and snarled traffic for hours on a major thoroughfare.
The fire broke out about 2 p.m. Monday at the Trident Executive Village and was brought under control about 90 minutes later. One firefighter suffered a minor injury, authorities said.
Patients, workers and doctors in the complex ran from the building after smoke was seen coming from the roof. Within minutes the structure was engulfed in flames.
Firefighters worked to keep the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings or the nearby Trident Medical Center.
The building was almost a total loss, said North Charleston Fire Chief Al Rissanen.
Traffic was still backed up late Monday evening along University Parkway as firefighters doused a few hot spots.
