Columbia firefighters hurt when burning building collapses in massive blaze, officials say
Two firefighters were injured early Sunday morning and four people lost their home in a massive two-alarm fire, according to the Columbia Fire Department.
The fire started late Saturday night in a commercial property on West Beltline Boulevard and spread to a neighboring home, officials said in a news release.
At about 11:40 p.m., crews responded to the fire near the intersection of West Beltline Boulevard and Brookland Circle, according to the release. That’s between Two Notch Road and S.C. 277.
Firefighters found heavy fire spreading through the interior and roof of the commercial building and called for more units to help, making it a two-alarm fire, officials said.
Minutes after the second alarm was called, one side of the building collapsed, causing injuries to two firefighters, according to the release. Both firefighters were quickly rescued and taken from the scene by Richland County EMS.
Officials said the injured firefighters are being treated for their injuries at an area hospital, but further information on their conditions was not available.
On Sunday afternoon, the fire department said that one of the injured firefighters had been released from the hospital, but the other remained.
No civilians were hurt, according to officials, and no other injuries were reported.
Following the partial collapse, fire department crews continued battling the blaze for several hours to get the fire under control and extinguished, according to the release.
Flames spread to a home next to the commercial building, and the residence had to be evacuated, leaving four people displaced, officials said.
There was no word on where the fire originated, but the cause is being investigated by the Richland County Fire Marshal’s Office, according to the release. Officials did not say if foul play was suspected.
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This story was originally published August 18, 2024 at 9:39 AM with the headline "Columbia firefighters hurt when burning building collapses in massive blaze, officials say."
