One year ago - August 27, 2024 - Clinton came to a stop, and the rest of the world, it seemed, came to our rescue.
In the late afternoon, word started to spread, as black smoke was billowing -- the House of Pizza was on fire. Customers in the restaurant were whisked outside, and it became apparent that the business’ back porch, a wooden structure, was on fire.
It became - quickly - an inferno. No one died; but it took several hours for our fire department and many neighboring fire departments to control the blaze that consumed four businesses and seriously damaged a fifth. The City has never made public a fire cause nor a damages-money estimate. Insurance companies have studied the damage but they say their investigators’ reports are not public documents.
The property now is a gaping hole in the middle of our city’s main business district, secured by a fence - plans call for “visioning sessions” asking the public what it could become, under the guidance of the Clinton Economic Development Corporation.
Our Coverage Then:
By Vic MacDonald
Editor
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 offered more water available from its massive plant on Lake Greenwood (but it wasn’t used). As the event was getting under control came word of a shooting and injury at a gas station in Cross Hill, near the lake (arrest, page five).
Five firefighters were hurt, none with life-threatening injuries.
Now, as the investigation starts, the City is asking for videos of the fire scene. Also, the City, Main Street Clinton and the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce are partnering on an overall “fire fund” for Clinton, the businesses, and its revitalization.
The City of Clinton had announced that for at least for last Wednesday, 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 Broad, 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,” posted Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn.
But is recovery 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. Damaged was iconic business Hoyt Hanvey Jewelers. Firemen and the Hanvey family rescued the business founder’s portrait.
The House of Pizza building, circa 1910-12, used to be the Rose’s 5 & Dime; but before that, it was The Bee Hive, a mercantile store that was owned by George Bailey and Arthur Little. Joanne Stewart posted that her grandfather, Clyde Todd, was a clerk there until his death in the 1918 flu epidemic.
Early reports said at least two firefighters were hurt, although the extent of their injuries was not known. 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. Now, for the most part, the mills are gone.
Firefighters battled a 90 degree temperature as the fire unfolded just after 5 p.m. The cause has not been officially confirmed. It seems 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 caused 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 family and we will keep everyone updated as to what our next steps 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 quitting time last 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 has a For Rent sign in the front window. The Pasture restaurant closed last Wednesday because the gas was shut off. Nearby, The Vestibule coffee shop offered a free drink to any first responder and business affected by the fire.
Community residents gathered for prayer at Noon last Wednesday at the Uptown Square flagpole, and Davidson Street Baptist Church played host to an evening prayer service. Additional information provided last Wednesday was that a firefighter suffered a broken wrist, two from Joanna had dehydration, and two from Laurens County Fire were hit by bricks. About a dozen fire departments responded for mutual aid, and assistance was provided by SC State Fire, SLED, and the federal ATF. The Clinton Police asked SLED to handle the investigation, officials said.
The blocked-off House of Pizza building remained under a constant stream of water during the noon prayer time, as firefighters dealt with potential flare-ups.
Assistance is starting from throughout the Laurens County community and beyond. The House of Pizza posted:
“I just want to thank my House of Pizza employees aka my family for being apart of our business and my family. We love each and everyone y’all and we appreciate you more than y’all know! Our employees have been loyal to us and we all have grown so close and become a big, loving family! They help me keep my business running and I couldn’t do it without them! We want to thank First Baptist Church of Clinton for opening their doors to facilitate us tonight (Aug 29). Also, Tipsy Taco, Chic-fil-a, Chicken Salad Chic, Big Air as they graciously donated a meal to give out to the employees and their families. We want to thank anonymous members of the community who donated $200 cash to each one of our employees and Upstate Church who donated $100 gift card to help bridge the gap in loss of pay. We are thankful for all the support from the community and our family. We missed those of you who were unable to make it tonight and look forward to seeing you soon! We are so appreciative of all the prayers and help we’ve received. It’s amazing! #clintonstrong”
At Thursday evening’s game ball run from Laurens to Uptown Clinton, Scoops provided cake and ice cream, and Crave provided energy drinks for the cross-country runners. “In the athletics area, we may have competitions, but as a community, only as a county can we grow and get better and unite,” District 56 Superintendent Dr. David O’Shields said.
“Our heart-felt prayers to your community and to Clinton,” District 55 Superintendent Jody Penland said. “We will always be competing but we are one community and one family.”
“I would just like to thank everybody who is here, supportive of these young people,” Mayor Randy Randall said. “It shows we are still together. We will still be prospering for the future.”
With the participating businesses, Main Street Clinton and District 56 arranged the game-ball welcoming on its 6-mile trip from Laurens.
And, last Wednesday, The City of Clinton posted, “We need your assistance regarding the fire downtown Clinton on yesterday. We are asking anyone who has video(s) from the fire please email us at tips@cityofclintonsc.com with your name, phone number, and email. We will email a link to download the video. Do not send videos via the email please wait until you receive the link. For questions you may contact us Monday-Friday 8am-5pm at 864-833-7500. Thank you for your assistance. Again do not email the video(s), please wait for the link.”
