Fire at UniFirst causes estimated $30,000 in damage

Sumter Fire Department extinguished a relatively small blaze at a local service business' facility early Saturday morning, according to a spokesman and an official report.

Emergency units responded to a fire alarm at UniFirst, 2040 Union Camp Blvd., and arrived on the scene at 4:04 a.m. Saturday. Within two minutes, the units had the fire officially under control, according to the incident report. Sumter Fire Department Battalion Chief Joey Duggan said the facility's emergency sprinkler system actually had the fire under control and saved the building from more extensive damage.

"The sprinkler saved it," Duggan said. "If the company didn't have a sprinkler system in that building, it would have been a big problem."

The building was unoccupied at the time, and no one was injured, according to Battalion Chief Steven Dara, who was on scene. Dara said spontaneous combustion of soiled towels and rags contained in a few large laundry baskets caused the fire. Dara estimated the damage/loss at $30,000.

UniFirst provides uniform rental and facility services to business and industry in Sumter County and surrounding areas.