Machine Fire

1566 High Point Church Rd.

Monday, April 14th, 2025, 7:06 PM

High Point Fire, along with automatic aid partners Pageland and Sandhill Fire Departments, responded to a report of a structure fire at the Old Castle mulch facility located on High Point Church Rd.

Upon arrival, Engine 11 and Engine 51 discovered a machine burning in the processing area. Following an assessment of the situation, the automatic aid departments were canceled as Engine 11 deployed a hose line to commence suppression efforts. Engine 51 established a supply line from High Point Church Rd. into the fire scene, effectively providing Engine 11 with necessary water resources.

Engine 41 and Pageland Engine 2 supplied additional water through the established hose line. Firefighters initiated their attack by extinguishing a burning conveyor belt positioned beneath the machine.

A ladder was utilized to access and extinguish the burning wood products atop the machinery. Firefighters also deployed a piercing nozzle to deliver water to confined areas within the machine, addressing potential hotspots. A thermal imaging camera was employed to ensure that no remaining hot spots were present before concluding operations.

The fire was ignited when wood products became lodged between the rollers of the machine. The resulting friction was sufficient to generate enough heat to ignite the materials.