Chapin, SC (Paul Kirby) - An auto-repair shop, along with several cars, was completely destroyed after a fire broke out in the business early Monday morning, Lexington County Fire Officials say.
Lexington County 911 Communications dispatched Lexington County Fire Service and EMS to the 200 block of Chapin Road in reference to a commercial structure fire, just before 12:30 a.m. This is close to the Hilton community southeast of the town of Chapin, the county’s most northern town. The group of businesses also sit at the intersection of Sid Bickley Road and Chapin Road.
Upon arrival, heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming from the structure. Units from Irmo Fire District and Columbia Fire Department were also called in to help fight the fire.
Although the business was deemed a total loss, with an estimated $1 million in damages, there were no injuries as a result of the fire. A secondary woodworking shop next to the auto-repair shop received smoke damage from the fire.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
In total, five Lexington County Fire Service units with 14 personnel responded to the scene, along with two Irmo units with four personnel and two Columbia units with six personnel. EMS remained on scene to conduct firefighter rehabilitation operations.
