Batesburg-Leesville, SC – The Batesburg-Leesville Fire Department, along with the Lexington County Fire Service and the Irmo Fire District, responded to a commercial structure fire at J.B. Martin Company just outside the town of Batesburg-Leesville on Friday evening. First due fire commanders reported that they had a working fire in the duct work of the building that’s on Pond Branch Road near the city in western Lexington County.
Engines 251, 261, and Lexington County’s Engine 8 were first on scene. They were assisted by Battalion 1 out of Lexington County who was given command of the scene, Battalion 17 out of Irmo, and Support Truck 26 out of Batesburg-Leesville. They also received additional assistance from Tower 17, a ladder tower truck, out of Irmo’s Fire District and Ventilation 25 to clear smoke. Vent 25 is a super fan power by a V-8 motor that is mounted on a trailer pulled behind a truck. It is used to move large amounts of smoke from large structures and has been requested for use all over the Midlands.
For almost two centuries, JB Martin has been making the woven velvets. Today, JB Martin is the oldest continuous manufacturer of woven velvets in the world. Their products are recognized worldwide as the standard of that industry.
The fire took more than an hour to bring under control. Fire crews stayed on the scene until all of the smoke was cleared from the building.
