Springs Farm workers recover with community help after fire destroys housing unit

Although devastated by a fire that destroyed their living quarters, Springs Farm workers say they are grateful for the community’s support.

Nearly a dozen seasonal agricultural workers were displaced following a Thursday afternoon fire at the two-story home in 2500 block of Coltharp Road. No one was inside at the time and there were no injuries,

Seasonal worker Juan Ocobachi said many people have called and offered to bring items the workers might need. Ocobachi, who has been coming to Springs Farm for 25 years, spoke with a reporter Friday afternoon as efforts to provide temporary food and shelter were still being coordinated.

Ocobachi said he likes the Fort Mill area and the Springs Farm family. He has spoken with his family back home to let them know he was okay.

“Last night there were some long faces,” said payroll and business administrator Laura Crawford. Crawford brought bottled water and food for the workers to take to their hotel and made sure they had money and medications.

The tight-knit community has donated clothing and food, says manager Ron Edwards. “The Ramada Inn in Rock Hill gave us a great rate, so they will be there for a while,” Edwards said.

Most of the workers didn’t lose personal possessions such as family photos or documentation, but ordinary items like work pants and gloves needed for picking crops like strawberries and peaches.

Many of the workers at the farm are from Mexico and other Latin American countries. They had only just arrived at the end of January and are expected to stay until mid-October, when most will return home.

Thursday night Edwards took the men to Wal-Mart to get clothing and toiletries and then out to dinner. “We are part of a Springs Farm family and it’s been overwhelming,” he said.

They were able to find all but one of the 11 workers’ documentation. That particular worker lived in the back corner room which was completely destroyed by the fire.

Springs Farm has a vacant house elsewhere on the property and management is hoping to renovate the structure so that the workers can be housed there.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Springs Farm workers recover with community help after fire destroys housing unit."