BAMBERG COUNTY, S.C. — Four buildings are a complete loss after a massive fire in Bamberg County Tuesday night.
Bamberg Fire Chief Timmie Taylor says the initial call of one building on fire on Main Street came in just before 10 p.m. The fire then spread to three other buildings.
Three buildings collapsed, however. Chief Taylor says all four are a total loss.
Thankfully, he says no injuries were reported.
The owner of the four buildings says they were holding about $100,000 worth of antiques that he was planning to sell.
Steve Leninski, owner of the four buildings describes how he felt when he saw the flames saying, "I was shocked." He goes on to say "There was a lot of jewelry, a lot of paintings, very good 18th century furniture but you'll never see any of it again."
Main Street had to be closed as the front of one of the buildings fell onto the road. The fire department says they are waiting for the SC Department of Transportation to help clear bricks from the road.
"This is a nightmare we've been hoping wouldn't happen, but it did," said Chief Taylor.
When discussing the containment, Chief Taylor says a ladder truck from Canaan was a tremendous help.
"The teams worked well together ... my hats off to them," he added.
Six departments help the Bamberg Fire Department contain the massive fire, including two teams out of Orangeburg, one out of Edisto and one from Canaan.