A fire broke out at the old Clearwater Finishing Plant located on Belvedere Road late Tuesday, keeping crews busy throughout the night. The blaze started around 9 p.m., according to Bath Fire Chief Sean Johnson, who said, at this time, they are unsure of what caused the fire. (more…)

SConFire.com wishes Chief Norris good luck in his future in the Lowcountry.

BLUFFTON – January 29, 2012: As Shift 2 was preparing for shift change; they were dispatched to a structure fire at the Mill Creek Amenity Center. Around 7:30am, a passerby, noticed smoke and flames coming from the roof area near the chimney. Engine 321 arrived on scene and confirmed smoke showing. The crew from Engine 321 made entry and located the fire in the attic near the chimney. Access to the fire was difficult due to its location. Truck 375 laddered the building and started opening up the roof. Once the Truck Crew gained access, the fire was quickly extinguished. Crews remained on scene to assist the Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bluffton Police Dept with the investigation. Units on scene: Engine 321, 324, 320, Truck 375, Battalion 3, and Beaufort County EMS. per Bluffton Township Fire District Press Release

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH – The official cause of a restaurant fire in North Myrtle Beach is listed as undetermined, though fire officials suspect wiring was not sufficient to handle new air conditioning units , according to fire officials. (more…)

CHARLESTON – Charleston Fire Department leaders will soon have a new home. Mayor Joe Riley says the new building, which will be located on Heriot and King Streets will be spacious and centrally located.

"It will have five bays, will house two engine companies and a hazardous material unit," Mayor Riley said.

The administrative offices will also move to the new headquarters building. They are currently located at the building on Wentworth and Meeting Streets.

"There was no elbow room. What we need is modern efficient place for the command staff of our fire department," Mayor Riley said.

The older building also did not meet the American and Disability Act requirements. The new building will be up to code and place the department's key staff in a location close to I-26.

The facility will replace a current structure that city officials say was condemned due to unsafe living conditions, including mold and asbestos.

"It had to be closed. It had some structural problems that prevented its cost effectively being renovated. Plus, we needed a larger facility," Mayor Riley said.

The project will cost about $5.5 million, which is funded from a bond issue city council passed several years ago, according to Mayor Riley.

story by WCIV-TV Channel 4, Charleston

SENECA – At around 4 pm Saturday the Friendship Fire Department responded to a lightning strike in Seneca but when they arrived they were shocked at what they saw.

NEW YORK, NY – The Black Sunday Fire – January 23rd, 2005 – The Bronx blaze claimed the lives of FDNY Lt. Curtis W. Meyran, L27 – FF John G. Bellew, L27; critically injured FF Jeffrey Cool, R3 and Lt. Joseph DiBernardo, R3 and injured FF Brendan Cawley, L27 and FF Eugene Stolowski, L27. All 6 FF's were forced to jump from the 4th floor of an apartment building as they were trapped by the fire.

Another FDNY Brother died just 3 hours later in another fire, this time in Brooklyn, after being trapped in a basement during a residential fire. He was FF Richard T. Sclafani of L103.

Please remember the families, friends, and the FDNY on this tragic anniversary.