Diners were enjoying a Tuesday evening meal, when an inferno broke out.
Four buildings and three businesses on Uptown Clinton's iconic Musgrove Street were destroyed by the ravaging blaze. It was stubborn, but seemed to be quelled once the natural gas was turned off. Neighboring fire departments rushed to the assistance of the embattled City of Clinton Fire Department; the Laurens County Water & Sewer Authority made more water available from its massive plant on Lake Greenwood. As the event was getting under control came word of a shooting and injury at a gas station in Cross Hill, near the lake.
The City of Clinton has announced that for at least today, these roads are closed to traffic:
E Main and Clay, Enterprise and Clay, E Florida and Musgrove, E Florida and N Broad, Elizebeth and Main, Elizabeth and Pitts, E Main and N Brfoad, and N Broad is closed from Main Street to Florida Street.
Expressions of concern poured in: "Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in the City of Clinton as they battle the awful fire in their downtown. I know our community will pull together and help as Clinton recovers from this tragic loss."
But is receovery even possible?
As one onlooker said. "You don't recover from this. THIS is history."
Lost in the fire was House of Pizza, in the old Roses building. Heavily damaged was iconic business Hoyt Hanvey Jewelers. Firemen and the Hanvey family rescued the business founder's portrait.
At least two firefighters were hurt, although the extent of their injuries is not know. The front portion of the House of Pizza collapsed - its jutting out from the facade sign was the former Roses sign, harkening to the day with the 5 and Dime, Sears, Belks and many more retailers served a prosperous textiles community.
Firefighters battled a 90 degree temperature as the fire unfolded just after 5 p.m. The cause has not been officially confirm. It seemed as though the Uptown's most recently renovated building might have saved the whole block - the Freshens restaurant of Presbyterian College used to be the college bookstore, and when that renovation was done it had to meet modern fire codes, fire walls, sprinklers etc. It is 3 doors down from what used to be the House of Pizza.
There were worries about the potential for a natural gas explosion, that cause law enforcement to back up a large crowd on Musgrove Street, in front of The Grove apartments. As darkness fell, the massive ladder truck from the Fountain Inn Fire Department and others were still trying to douse the stubborn blaze.
Official word was scarce, as the immediate priority was securing the scene and dousing the flames. FOX Carolina quoted Michelle Cunningham, assistant director of human resources and risk management for the City of Clinton , as saying, "It feels like we're losing a whole historic section of Clinton. We are not that big. I remember when the House of Pizza was the Dime store and I used to go in there with my grandmother. So it is history. We are essentially losing a part of the heart of the downtown area." Clinton Fire Department Fire Marshal Donya Langston said, according to the news outlet, that the fire was contained to 4 buildings and 3 businesses. FOX said firefighters said it started on the restaurant's back porch.
The House of Pizza also has a Laurens location; the restaurant posted, "We are saddened to inform you that our building caught fire this evening around 5 o'clock. The cause is unknown at this time as we are waiting on an investigation. House of Pizza has been proud to serve Clinton for the last 12 years. This is a tragic loss for our faamily and we will keep everyone updated as to what our next steeps will be. We appreciate the support we have been receiving from our customers and our community. All thoughts and prayers are sincerely appreciated as we work through this."
Lights in the MS Bailey Municipal Building, home to Clinton City Government, and just a block from the devastated area, were on long past quiting time on Tuesday. Seen on the corner across from Hoyt Hanvey Jewelers were Clinton Mayor Randy Randall and Council Members Danny Cook and Gary Kuykendall. The fire comes at a troublesome time for Clinton's restaurant scene as Steamer's, Main Street Bake Shoppe, and Jitters are closed; in the same block as the fire-damaged businesses, Steamer's is set to re-open and Jitter's now as a For Rent sign in the front window.
