52 residents rescued amid fire at assisted-living facility in Batesburg-Leesville
A total of 21 residents are displaced due to the fire but have been re-housed on site at the assisted living facility.
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) – The aftermath of a devastating fire at an assisted living facility in Lexington County left dozens displaced on Saturday, April 12th.
City leaders reflect on the moment as fire crews rushed to the scene while the nursing staff at Generations of Batesburg-Leesville worked to evacuate 52 people from a burning building.
“It was really scary for a lot of people. Anytime you have a structure fire in a structure that involves people and elderly people that are not real mobile — definitely everyone was scared,” said Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull.
Two employees who were working to get people out of the building were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. The Batesburg-Leesville Fire Department says no other injuries reported.
A total of 21 residents are displaced due to the fire but have been re-housed on site at the assisted living facility.
(Source: Batesburg-Leesville Fire Department)
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. “We are trying to finish up a few things with the investigation right now but we are definitely leaning towards accidental for the cause,” said Fire Chief Josh Frye.
City leaders are still reeling from the shock of the fire and their focus now is taking care of those who have lost so much.
“When I walked through afterwards the hair stood up on the back of my neck. I can not believe we did not lose anybody had it been 2 am it might have been different, – its a little miracle,” said Mayor Shull.
According to the assisted living facility, they need clothes and toiletries donations the most.
