News Summary
A significant fire at the Bridgestone plant in Graniteville has been extinguished, with no reported injuries among employees. The Graniteville Fire Department responded promptly and contained the fire to machinery within the plant. This incident follows another emergency involving a gasoline tanker crash on I-20, raising safety concerns in the area. As local authorities continue investigations, the community is urged to stay vigilant amidst multiple emergencies.
Graniteville, S.C. – A significant fire at the Bridgestone plant in Graniteville has been contained without any injuries reported among plant employees. The Graniteville Fire Department received the emergency call just before midnight on Friday, responding quickly to the scene. Fire crews managed to extinguish the fire and cleared the area shortly before 1:30 a.m.
The fire was confined to a piece of machinery within the plant, thanks to the efforts of multiple fire crews who worked diligently throughout the night. The successful containment of the fire highlights the effectiveness of the local firefighting teams. Fortunately, there were no injuries to any of the plant employees, providing some relief amid the concerning incident.
This fire incident at the Bridgestone facility comes at a time when local safety is already under scrutiny, especially following another emergency involving a gasoline tanker earlier the same day. It was reported that the collision between a gasoline tanker and a passenger vehicle on I-20 occurred at around 3:40 a.m. on Saturday. The tanker, which was carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline, struck a 2023 Dodge Charger, resulting in massive flames that intensified the emergency response needed.
In response to the I-20 crash, a team of 35 firefighters from nine different fire departments, including GVW, Sage Mill, Center, Langley, Eureka, Trenton, Merriwether, and Belvedere, along with Aiken County emergency services, fought the fire. Approximately 10,000 gallons of water were utilized to extinguish the flames, which exploded upon the impact of the crash. Both drivers involved in the incident were taken to hospitals, and investigations are ongoing to determine potential charges related to the accident.
The aftermath of the tanker incident has seen immediate infrastructure concerns as well. Following the crash, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has stated that reconstruction of the Old Vaucluse Road bridge is expected to take 9 months to a year. An emergency contract for the bridge’s reconstruction has already been awarded. Prior to the full bridge rebuild, the damaged sections of I-20 have been milled and repaved, and guardrails replaced, allowing the interstate to reopen within 36 hours of the incident. The I-20 corridor is vital for daily traffic flow, accommodating around 40,000 vehicles each day.
The simultaneous occurrence of both the fire at Bridgestone and the tanker crash has raised safety concerns in Graniteville and surrounding areas. As local authorities continue to address these incidents, they are also finding themselves contending with warnings about the increasing presence of the venomous Asian needle ant species, which poses additional community health concerns.
As the investigations into both events continue, local residents and businesses are urged to stay vigilant as officials work to ensure public safety and maintain timely updates regarding ongoing developments. The Graniteville community is currently navigating a challenging period as multiple emergency situations unfold, reflecting a critical need for awareness and preparedness among residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Fire Breaks Out at Bridgestone Graniteville
- Wikipedia: Fire Safety
- WRDW: Details on Fiery Crash that Brought Down I-20 Bridge
- Google Search: I-20 Bridge Crash
- Post and Courier: Aiken Fire at McKinney Tire
- Google Scholar: Fire Emergency Response
- WRDW: Tornado Brings Damage to Aiken County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Natural Disasters
- WRDW: Crews Fight Brush Fires in Aiken County
- Google News: Brush Fires Aiken County
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
