CORRECTED: Machine shop in West Columbia receives significant damage in what is believed to be an arson fire

West Columbia, SC 04/14/2025 (Paul Kirby) – A commercial building was seriously damaged by fire Sunday night. Firefighters responded to a commercial structure fire at Midlands Machine Works on Smith Drive near Sox Street shortly after 11:00 p.m. When they arrived on the scene, they encountered a significant amount of smoke coming from around the large rollup doors of the work area.

Firefighters from the Cayce Fire Department arrived on scene first and made an attack with a handline. As additional crews from the City of West Columbia and the Lexington County Fire Service arrived, they helped establish a water source from a nearby fire hydrant and another hose line was advanced from Cayce's rescue pumper manned by Cayce's personnel. They assisted in attacking the blaze. Meanwhile Cayce's tower truck, who had arrived with their first in rescue pumper, was ventilating the building. At this point, Cayce's battalion chief was commanding the operation.

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After the fire was out, fire marshal’s began to try and establish the cause of the fire. During this survey, they located what they felt were devices that could be used to intentionally cause the fire. The West Columbia Police Department was called, and their officers asked for assistance from the SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Agents responded and began an official investigation. As of Monday morning, an officer from the West Columbia Police Department was sitting at the scene guarding the building until investigators returned today.

One official said that the fire’s damage could be over a million dollars. This is because of the expensive milling and c and c machines that first got heated and then quickly cooled by the water used to fight the fire.