Fire that damaged Huger Street warehouse caused by extension cords

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Fire investigators say overuse of extension cords caused a warehouse fire Wednesday morning on Huger Street.

Emergency crews were called to the scene in the 400 block of Huger Street, near Whaley Street, at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. A Columbia Police Officer reported the fire after seeing flames coming from the building.

The building houses the Secret of the Islands business.

Firefighters say wooden pallets inside the warehouse caught fire.

Brick Lewis with the Columbia Fire Department says the flames were mainly contained to the pallets, but crews checked to make sure the fire hadn't gotten into the walls of the building.

The fire is out. There was heavy smoke inside the building that firefighters had to ventilate.

Columbia fire officials say poor electrical wiring and overuse of extension cords caused the fire.

Officials say no one was injured in the fire and damages are estimated at $200K.

Huger was closed between Blossom Street and Whaley for several hours but the street reopened just before 7 a.m..

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