Two Columbia-Richland firefighters were injured late Saturday night August 17, 2024 while fighting a massive 2-Alarm fire that broke out in a commercial property on W. Beltline Boulevard.
CRFD 1st Shift crews were dispatched to the scene near W. Beltline & Brookland Circle at around 11:40 p.m. Upon arrival they found heavy fire spreading through the interior and roof of the structure. This prompted officers on scene to call for a 2nd Alarm – sending more units.
Minutes after the 2nd Alarm was called a collapse occurred on one side of the building causing the injuries to two of our personnel. Both firefighters were quickly rescued and taken from the scene by Richland County EMS.
Firefighter Mario Trejo was rushed to a nearby hospital where he spent weeks receiving treatment for his injuries. He was eventually discharged and has begun rehabilitative care.
The other injured firefighter, Brice Minick, was released from the hospital and able to return home on Sunday August 18. He also is currently in the midst of rehabilitative care for his injuries.
Firefighter Mario Trejo & Firefighter Brice Minick
Firefighter Trejo joined the Columbia-Richland Fire Department last year and graduated our academy in May of 2023. He is a member of Engine Company 11-1st Shift serving Belvedere and other communities along Two Notch Road.
Firefighter Minick joined CRFD this year and graduated into service this past spring. He also was working out of Station 11 on the night of the fire.
Following the collapse and rescues our crews on scene continued working on scene at West Beltline for several hours to get the fire under control and extinguished. No civilians were injured.
A home next to the property had to be evacuated due to the fire. Four people were left displaced.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Richland County Fire Marshal’s Office.
