OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – One firefighter was sent to the hospital on Tuesday while fighting a three-alarm fire at an Upstate apartment complex.
Just before noon, fire crews were sent to the Clemson Ridge Apartments on Northwoods Drive.
Crews worked on containing the fire for hours on Tuesday, and much of the building was damaged by flames and water.
“I was just shaken,” Resident Justin Berner said.
That’s how residents described walking outside and seeing their apartment in flames.
Viewers sent in video to 7 News of those flames coming out of the top of the building.
Lots of heavy smoke was visible from the roadway.
“I was about to get in the shower and I heard banging on the door and they were yelling to get out,” Berner said. “My dad opened it and they were yelling There is a fire, get out. We left, got out and everything was on fire.”
Seneca Police assisted with road closures and evacuations.
They were on scene for most of the afternoon along with Seneca Fire, & several other Oconee County Fire Departments.
First responders said when they arrived, there was heavy fire. Flames ran through the attic and the attic collapsed onto the third floor.
Crews said after getting the fire under control, they still battled hot spots for several hours.
“We had a few pets that we hadn’t accounted for. We were fortunate enough to go back in after we got the fire knocked down and even rescue the pets. We had one lab that was in one of the apartments on fire and he managed to be under a bed and we pulled him out too,” said Chief Richie Caudill of the Seneca Fire Department.
While fighting the fire a firefighter reportedly sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. No other injuries have been reported.
American Red Cross is assisting 11 people whose homes were damaged in the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Officials said state law enforcement will investigate due to the size of the fire.
