Fire Destroys Iconic House of Pizza in Clinton, S.C.
CLINTON, S.C. — In a heartbreaking incident on Tuesday, August 27, the beloved House of Pizza was engulfed in flames, leaving many residents in shock. While thankfully there were no serious injuries reported among the restaurant staff, five firefighters sustained minor injuries while bravely battling the blaze.
Details of the Incident
The fire broke out in the rear section of the restaurant and quickly spread to neighboring businesses, prompting a massive emergency response. According to the Clinton Fire Marshall, the flames caused significant damage, destroying three businesses and affecting four buildings in total.
Firefighters were hit with various challenges as they tried to contain the fire. One firefighter suffered a broken wrist after tripping, not while trying to combat the flames. Additionally, two firefighters from the Joanna Fire Department were taken to the hospital for dehydration, while two more from Laurens County Fire were struck by falling bricks after the restaurant’s wall collapsed.
A Community’s Loss
This tragic event has left the community grieving for what is seen as a significant loss to the town’s history and charm. Michele Cunningham, assistant director of human resources and risk management for the City of Clinton, shared her feelings of nostalgia and sadness. “It feels like we’re losing a whole historic section of Clinton. I remember going to the Dime Store with my grandmother in that same spot,” she said. “We are essentially losing a part of the heart of the downtown area.”
The owner of House of Pizza expressed devastation over the incident, revealing they had just completed upgrades to the restaurant. They had installed a new awning and updated the signage, making this loss feel even more poignant.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services had to cordon off areas around Musgrove Street, North Adair Street, East Pitts, and Main Street as firefighters struggled to secure enough water to extinguish the flames. Following the incident, firefighters noticed some lingering small flames due to heat trapped in the debris, which is a common occurrence in such cases.
Clinton Fire Chief Jeremy Marshall announced that police patrols would keep an eye on the area, ready to spring into action if needed. The fire was such a significant event that over a dozen fire departments, including South Carolina State Fire, as well as specialists from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), were called to assist in the response. Though it’s rare for the ATF to involve itself in fire investigations, they were fortunately already in the vicinity when the fire ignited and offered to help.
Community Resilience
As the town comes to grips with this loss, Mayor Randy Randall claimed the town’s spirit and resilience will shine through. “Clinton is a small town, and if any little piece of the town gets hurt, it hurts all of us, but our town is resilient,” he stated. “I know that folks will be really working hard to pull together to help out, just like they did last night, this morning.”
Residents are encouraged to share any news tips, videos, or photos related to the fire with the city officials at tips@cityofclinton.com. The Clinton Fire Department is also asking anyone with videos from the scene to reach out and provide their contact information.
Looking Ahead
As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the community’s focus remains on recovery and support for the affected businesses. City officials, along with the fire department, are committed to finding ways to help those impacted bounce back from this devastating incident.
