Ridgeville fire station, brush truck damaged by electrical fire

RIDGEVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – An electrical issue sparked an early morning fire that damaged a Ridgeville station and brush truck.

Dorchester County Fire Rescue responded to Ridgeville Fire Station 8 around 2:19 a.m. Tuesday and contained a fire that was caused by an electrical shortage in the station’s brush truck.

County officials say the station’s primary engine and tanker were not damaged.

The brush truck, used for wildfires, was destroyed. “There was significant damage to the Station 8 building and the structural engineers’ assessment will determine when the station can be reopened and occupied,” the county said.

A firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

Dorchester County Fire Rescue “is responsive to the citizens in the Ridgeville area” and they are working to make the station operational as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, personnel will operate from Givhans Fire Station 12, and fire-rescue is working with Jedburg Fire Station 10 to cover portions of Ridgeville.

“The fire will not have an impact to ISO ratings for homeowners or businesses. An ISO rating is a Public Protection Classification that indicates a community’s fire department readiness and provides lower insurance premiums for communities with better ISO ratings. Dorchester County Fire Rescue maintains ISO-4 rating,” the county said.