Fire at Tupperware Brings in Firefighters from Numerous Counties

A fire at Tupperware Manufacturing, located at 248 Tupperware Rd., Hemingway, brought in fire departments as far away as Columbia.

The first units on the scene reported heavy smoke coming from the large warehouse on Tuesday evening around 10:30 pm, with Ladder 1, and other mutual aide departments being called shortly after. South Lynches Fire, Johnsonville Fire, and units from Georgetown county were also called in to assist with the fire.

The county EOC was activated at approximately 4:30 am on Wednesday morning, with EOC director Rowell soon after calling in to the State EOC for further assistance in this fire.

The State Firefighter activation was enabled bringing in mutual aide departments from all across the region like Midway Fire, Summerville Fire, Georgetown Fire, North Charleston Fire, Charleston Fire, Columbia Fire, Hartsville Fire and many numerous other departments to assist battling this fire.

Florence County EOC brought in a mobile command post and unit set up a unified command with each side of the large structure having one person in charge making sure all firefighters and equipment worked together with other sectors of the fire.

South Carolina DHEC was on scene Wednesday evening to monitor air quality, and a shelter was set up at Hemingway High School in case persons wanted to evacuate their homes.

As of 12:00 pm, Thursday, December 13, units were still on scene bringing the total hours to 37 and 1/2 hours units have been fighting this fire.