A fire roared through 899 Island Park Drive in the early morning hours on Tuesday causing extensive damage to the building, including collapse of the roof, and displacing the seven tenants who called the building their business home. No one was injured.
City of Charleston Fire Department Public Information Officer Mark Ruppel said that they received a call at 2:44 a.m. from a citizen notifying the department of the fire. A full response was initiated, Ruppel said.
"Firefighters arrived on the scene to see heavy flames on the second floor in the rear of the building," Ruppel noted, explaining, "The fire was under control within an hour."
Ruppel said that no other buildings in the area were impacted.
The building is owned by Grove Property Fund, also a tenant. The other tenants displaced by the fire include Crescent Moon Orthodontics and Parkwood Pediatrics, both on the first floor, and Sabal Medical, Samuel Shapiro & Co. (an import/export firm), Gold Marketing (a marketing company) and Grove Property Fund, a commercial real estate firm which both owns the building and occupies space there. Additionally, Coastal Kids Dental sees patients in Crescent Moon’s office.
Dr. Zetz of Crescent Moon Orthodontics said Tuesday morning, "We want everyone to know that several dentists in the area have offered us the use of their space. In addition to that we will be communicating via email, Facebook, and phone so patients will know where their appointment will be. All the patient data and information is secure."
Dr. Zetz said that his office plans to see patients as early as this week. "Dr. Bannister and Dr. Blalock offered us use of their space and several dentists in Mt Pleasant offered. Patients are calling to offer support, which is really nice."
Patients can call the office number, (843) 278-1902, for more information.
Dr. John Quinn of Parkwood Pediatrics was at the scene of the fire Tuesday morning. He said that they will see patients at their West Ashley office on 1243 Savannah Highway and that patients should call the main number for additional information, (843)556-8110.
Coastal Kids Dental is working to reschedule their Daniel Island patients in their main office in Hanahan until they determine the status of their Daniel Island office. They are working on plans and options. Patients should call (843) 818-5437 for up to date information.
Morning commuters arrived on the island Tuesday to find the area teeming with fire fighters and trucks. Traffic was heavy and backed up on Seven Farms Drive beyond the 526 overpass as police closed parts of Island Park Drive to traffic.
Three city fire investigators were at the scene on Tuesday morning, waiting for the building to cool before getting the go ahead to begin their investigation. Ruppel said that an immediate cause of the fire was not known.
Five Engines, two Ladders, two Battalion Chiefs, a Commanding Officer and a medic crew were on the scene. North Charleston also assisted.
"I will find space on the island…I am not going anywhere," Dr. Zetz said. "One of the best things about being in a community like this is the support when the unforeseen happens. Everybody says ‘hey what can we do, how can we help?’"
Steve Ferber and Elizabeth Bush also contributed to this story.