The Debunker Returns to Fight a Fiery Battle!

On Tuesday, February 26 at about 11:30PM, the Woodruff Fire Department responded to a large structure fire at 329 North Main Street. The building most recently housed The Chinaberry Tree and The Broken Teapot restaurant. However, the structure had been abandoned for the last several years. The fire, which destroyed the building, and how the investigation of its cause and the demolition of what was left of the structure have been the subject of many conspiracy theories over the last few weeks. Please allow me to debunk some of the outrageous rumors and conspiracy theories with the facts about the fire since I helped fight it and manage the aftermath.

First, a few facts about the fire. When the first-due engine crew arrived (I was driving the first-due engine), firefighters found heavy fire in the basement and a large room at the back of the building. When the first-due crew attempted to enter the building, they encountered heavy fire, arcing electricity and a large hole in the floor of the main fire room. Given these conditions they wisely and immediately backed out of the doorway and assumed a defensive position. They notified the commanding officer of the dangers, asked that Duke Energy be contacted to cut off the power and instructed that no one enter the structure. Not long after their report, fire broke through the roof over the large room at the back and the roof began to collapse.

Fire then raced through the attic of the building causing the roof to collapse onto ceiling joists, which allowed the roofing materials to burn and smolder. Normally, firefighters enter a structure and pull those burning materials down and extinguish them. However, given the instability of the flooring system in this structure, firefighters were not allowed to enter the building and perform this work.

So, in order to fully extinguish the fire, it was necessary for the city to bring in a contractor with a track hoe to pull the building down. I contacted the owner of the property and told him of our situation and he gave the city permission to have a contractor come in and pull down the building. At that point the owner and the contractor made arrangements for the building to be completely demolished and removed. The contractor that was called did not own the building, which debunks one rumor.

When firefighters first arrived, they were told by responding Woodruff Police officers that the officers had had trouble with an individual earlier in the evening who had made non-specific threats about burning something. However, after questioning and reviewing the officers' reports, Chief Dawkins concluded that the individual did not set fire to the building. There are no leads on how the fire started or whether or not someone started it. However, if anyone has information about the fire they should contact the Woodruff Police Department at 864-476-8131 and ask for Chief Dawkins.

The fire certainly appeared suspicious, but Fire Chief Godfrey was unable to determine a cause of the fire because he could not gain access to the structure due to how hazardous it was after its collapse. Vagrancy at the building had been prevalent since the last business vacated and the police had responded numerous times to the building because of vandalism. Contrary to the rumors, the chief did investigate as much as possible without endangering himself or others.

The great guys from the Poplar Springs and Hobbysville Fire Departments assisted the WFD with this large fire. Thanks goes to the Enoree Fire Department for responding to a fire alarm in the WFD district during the fire. Everyone worked hard and did all they could to stop the fire from spreading.

Some folks around town have posited some wild theories. From cover ups to turning a blind eye on the investigation, we've heard them all. It's terribly sad that the integrity of our emergency responders is questioned by people who have no regard for the truth.

But that's why the debunker is here! Sorry to disappoint them again with the facts. Of course, facts rarely stand in the way of a good conspiracy theory!