40 Firefighters Treated for Chemical Exposure

A 0330am routine call for a fire alarm in a warehouse, turned out to be a major blaze that before it was through, would involve 7 fire departments in northern Beaufort County.

The building was the Athena Marble's manufacturing warehouse, located at 128 Castle Rock Rd in Burton, where marble is molded into items such as sink tops and bathtubs, and the chemicals to perform those tasks were also being stored. Approximately 40 employees worked in the structure, however it was empty at the time of the blaze.

Firefighters Dennis Miller and Lt. Deb Lewis were first to arrive at what they believed to be a routine fire alarm, but what they saw was hard to believe. "We crossed highway 170 and located the building, and we thought the parking lot was just illuminated with lights, but it turned out to be fire coming from the eves of the roof," stated Miller. Lt. Lewis transmitted a second alarm for a working fire and shortly after, a third alarm was struck for more personnel and apparatus. Initial fire operations were hampered by flammable liquids which were being stored inside that fed the flames, and propane tanks which were igniting.

Firefighters and apparatus from Beaufort and Port Royal, including both tower trucks from the city and town, assisted Burton firefighters in attacking the fire. Multiple hose lines were deployed through numerous openings that had to be cut into the medal siding due to locked doors, yet fire crews were held to a standstill as the fire, being fed by chemicals within the building, refused to darken. After about 1 hour the firefighters began to get a hold of the blaze and the fire was brought under control in 3 -4 hours. However, the danger was far from over. As the weary firefighters began to emerge from the building, fire officials noted that they were covered with the chemicals which were being stored inside the building. Knowing the danger chemicals can have, 2 busses were summoned by Beaufort County's Emergency Management Division who were on scene, to transport over 40 firefighters who fought the blaze to Beaufort Memorial for decontamination and medical monitoring. Before firefighters could board the bus however, they had to remove their gear in the cold street and rinsed off by fire hoses.

Of the 40 firefighters transported to Beaufort Memorial, 6 were treated for minor injuries and 11 were treated for skin reactions to the chemicals. All firefighters were treated and released. Though no civilian injuries were reported, news crews from WTOC and WJWJ who were on scene were also decontaminated and treated and released from the hospital.

Once the fire was quelled, Hazmat Teams from Beaufort County and Parris Island, as well as the Air Station, were called to assist with decontaminating fire equipment. DHEC and Environmental First Response were also on scene to monitor the impact the chemicals were having on the environment, however fire officials stress the public is in no danger.

Firefighters from Lady's Island and Sheldon Fire Districts sent fire apparatus to Beaufort and Burton stations to provide coverage while crews worked on scene, and all emergency calls were answered without any delays.

The fire is being investigated by Burton fire officials in cooperation with SLED and ATF. Damages are still being assessed.