A fire broke out at the Ryerson facility located at 1305 South Steel Circle in Berkeley County, South Carolina, on Saturday morning, prompting a large response from local fire departments and emergency services. The fire was reported around 9:27 a.m. and was eventually contained after hours of effort. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all employees had successfully evacuated the building.
Fire Response and Initial Efforts
Crews from the Cainhoy Fire Department and automatic aid units were dispatched to the scene. Engine 2501 arrived at 9:38 a.m. and found heavy smoke emanating from the rear of the large, single-story industrial building. Firefighters quickly confirmed that all employees had evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
Upon conducting an exterior survey, fire crews observed heavy smoke coming from the back of the facility, along with light to moderate smoke from other areas. Due to the size of the building and the dense smoke hindering visibility, a second alarm was called around 9:50 a.m. to bring additional resources to the scene.
Tackling the Fire
Multiple agencies worked to locate the fire, which was challenging because of the large building and poor visibility. Once the source of the fire was identified, firefighters were able to contain it. However, the presence of flammable liquids meant that foam was required to fully extinguish the flames.
A third alarm was requested at 10:52 a.m. to provide relief for the crews already working on the scene. Ventilation operations were initiated to clear the smoke, and crews continued to check for extensions and work on extinguishing hot spots.
Investigation and Cause
The fire was placed under control at 11:56 a.m., and all units cleared the scene at 2:12 p.m. After an investigation, officials determined that the fire was accidental. It was found that welding activities had been conducted earlier in the day, and a spark likely smoldered underneath a machine before igniting and spreading rapidly.
Agencies Involved
The following agencies responded to the fire and assisted in controlling the incident: Cainhoy Fire, City of Charleston Fire, Nucor ERT, Mount Pleasant Fire, Hanahan Fire, Isle of Palms Fire, North Charleston Fire, East Berkeley Fire, Berkeley County EMS, Charleston County Rescue, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Berkeley County Emergency Management, and Charleston County Emergency Management. Their collaborative efforts were essential in ensuring the fire was contained safely.
