WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, WeatherGov. Haley to visit Hartsville and fire site

HARTSVILLE, SC (WMBF) - Governor Nikki Haley will be making an appearance in Hartsville Wednesday to meet with area officials to discuss their needs after Monday's devastating fire.

Rob Godfrey with the Governor's Office, said Governor Haley will be in Hartsville around 1:45 p.m. to meet with officials.

It is unknown at this time how long the Governor will be in the area.

The main concern for residents and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control following Monday night's destructive blaze in Hartsville is if the smoke now filling the streets is harmful.

The fire that destroyed the Agrium Fertilizer Plant is contained, but now the blaze is leaving another problem throughout the streets of Hartsville. Thick, gray smoke lays heavily over the city, and although DHEC has confirmed the smoke is not harmful, many residents say they are suffering from watery, itchy eyes and a scratchy throat.

The U.S. Environmental Agency set up air quality monitoring equipment brought in from Columbia, and Adam Myrick with DHEC has confirmed that the smoke is not toxic; the department used three different monitoring systems over night testing different locations of the area and report they did not find anything hazardous.

A representative from the EPA's office out of Atlanta was scheduled to be on scene Tuesday morning to begin water quality testing of the lake adjacent to the plant in connection with DHEC. Myrick says it has been determined that no drinking water is pulled directly from the lake. He says they have still not determined the chemicals present in the plant at the time of the blaze.

Firefighters remain on the scene of the Agrium Fertilizer Plant in Hartsville, but law enforcement has scaled back its involvement as the fire remains contained.

Lt. Brian Rudick, spokesman for the Hartsville Police Department, says firefighters remain in "containment mode" following the fire. Rudick adds that law enforcement has scaled back its efforts to the perimeter of the scene.

The fire still burned Tuesday morning as hot spots caused bursts of flames throughout the rubble. The scene is still too hot for investigators to enter the actual buildings, according to Rudick.

Firefighters, first responders, and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control representatives were among the scene overnight into Tuesday morning monitoring the flames to ensure there was no rekindling.

Mayor Pennington says firefighters from around the state have descended on Hartsville to help with the firefighting efforts. He says crews have come in from Sumpter, Conway, Florence, and Columbia.

Pennington said a contracted crew was expected to arrive on scene Tuesday morning to begin demolition to part of the three story building to aid in the firefighting efforts.

According to the mayor, the Sonoco plant halted production overnight to send their own resources to help in the containment of the blaze. He says production picked back up around 7 a.m. Tuesday.

According to Lt. Rudick, the initial emergency call went out around 6:47 p.m. Monday night. Upon arrival, units discovered the plant fully engulfed.

Eye witnesses say they saw a large fire ball in the area. There were no explosions, the loud noises heard were pressurized containers.

The fire caused severe traffic issues, and authorities continue to ask the public to avoid the Fifth Street area around the lake, as well as Society Avenue and Lakeview Boulevard Tuesday morning.

Rudick said all area roads were blocked Monday night, and at least five fire departments responded to the scene in the first moments of the blaze.

Residents within one-half to three-quarters of a mile around the plant were evacuated.

Angela Nichols with the Horry County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said the Red Cross sent three volunteers to assist with a shelter. They are also on standby to assist as needed.

No injuries were reported.

A firefighter on scene was said to have worked for Agrium, and helped crews figure out the structure of the building.

Linwood Epps, spokesman for the Darlington County Emergency Management Agency, said a shelter was opened at the T.B. Thomas Sports Center on Washington Street.

Linda Booth with the American Red Cross said at least 75 people stayed at the shelter. The Red Cross also provided food to 200 people, including first responders at the scene.

Hartsville Mayor Mel Pennington said Society Avenue toward Alphabet Streets were evacuated to the shelter.

The building is unfortunately a loss, and the area has lost one of its major industries. Agrium currently had 50 to 60 employees.

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