GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – Several aircraft were damaged in an early morning fire at the Greenville Downtown Airport.
According to officials at the airport, the fire started early Monday morning in an aircraft hangar. Fire crews said they were called after a bystander reported a fire on the southeast side of the airport.
“We got the call at about 3:52 this morning,” said Chief Brian Horton, Greenville City Fire Department. “Crews arrived and found the hangar maintenance facility on fire and the roof had already collapsed when we arrived on the scene.”
Firefighters from Wade Hampton and Greenville City said the Special Services Corporation hangar was engulfed in flames with thick smoke when they arrived.
Hours after the initial call, crews continued to work with the city’s Public Works Department to put out hot spots and tear down what was left of the roof. Officials said they needed to do so to be able to get a closer look at what caused the fire.
“The city’s Public Works is out here helping to take the metal off the sides and the roof so our investigators can actually get in and see what happened,” said Horton.
Airport employees said several aircraft were damaged, some of which were completely destroyed.
“Right now our investigators, our own fire marshal, are looking at it. We don’t think it’s anything suspicious at this time,” said Horton.
While several planes were lost in the process, crews said no one was hurt.
“We hate losing any type of property,” said Horton. “No one was hurt, thank goodness. No one was injured. So, that’s a good thing but it’s a loss of property, a loss of revenue and business that we’re always worried about.”
A lengthy cleanup is what’s left of the hangar Monday evening. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Airport representatives said the fire did not impact operations. All arrivals and departures were on time.
