Firefighters Injured Battling Blaze at Iconic House of Pizza in Clinton
CLINTON, S.C. — On Tuesday evening, a significant fire broke out at the historical House of Pizza in downtown Clinton, leading to injuries for two firefighters and extensive damage to nearby structures. According to Clinton Fire Department officials, the fire initiated on the back patio of the eatery and quickly expanded to encompass four additional buildings.
Fortunately, all restaurant patrons and staff were safely evacuated with no injuries reported among them. However, two firefighters suffered minor injuries in their courageous efforts to extinguish the flames. One of these brave individuals required hospitalization but is expected to recover.
As of now, Fire Marshal Donya Langston confirmed that the fire has been contained to the affected four buildings. Despite these efforts, three businesses have been entirely lost to the fire, and the historic front section of the House of Pizza has collapsed. Langston emphasized that crews are still actively working to extinguish the remaining flames.
“Losing a Historic Part of Clinton”
Michele Cunningham, the Assistant Director of Human Resources and Risk Management for the City of Clinton, expressed deep sorrow at the loss. She reminisced about the times when the House of Pizza was known as the Dime store, a place she frequently visited with her grandmother.
“It feels like we’re losing a whole historic section of Clinton. We are not that big,” Cunningham lamented. “We are essentially losing a part of the heart of the downtown area.”
Restoration Efforts Undone
The owner of the House of Pizza shared their grief with reporters, revealing that they had recently completed substantial upgrades to the restaurant, including a new awning and sign. The business is devastated by the incident and the significant setback it represents.
Challenges in Firefighting
Firefighters urged local residents to avoid the areas surrounding Musgrove Street, North Adair Street, East Pitts Street, and Main Street, as they faced severe difficulties accessing water to combat the blaze. They also mentioned the potential need to shut down Highway 76 and Main Street due to the next closest hydrant being located there.
The Lauren County Fire Department collaborated with Clinton Fire in responding to the blaze. Numerous local witnesses reached out, providing videos and photos of the chaotic scene.
Investigations Ongoing
At this time, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are working diligently to determine what sparked the fire that led to this loss of cherished local businesses and historic locations. Many downtown streets remain blocked off as firefighting efforts continue, and officials expect that cleanup and rebuilding will be extensive.
This incident marks a moment of reflection and collective mourning for the community, as residents and business owners come to terms with the substantial fire and its aftermath. Local authorities and firefighters are committed to concluding their current efforts and starting the long road to recovery.
We will continue to follow this story closely and provide further updates as new information becomes available.
