Fire Ravages Laurens Business: Red Cross Was There

By Brian Scoles

In the darkness of October 10, Clinton Fire Department responds to a call at the Anderson Hardwood Flooring plant in Clinton. Upon arrival, first responders encountered flames shooting 40 feet into the air. Emergency Preparedness Director Ray Blackwell reported that four workers escaped without injury and issued an evacuation order as a result of toxic chemicals released into the atmosphere.

Kay Osborne, Laurens County Service Center Manager for the Upstate Chapter, along with two volunteers, received the call that Clinton residents were urged to leave their homes and a shelter was opened. Osborne said of the shelter, "Clinton residents need a safe place to go and we will be there for them with food and shelter if only for a little while."

Kim Eller, Chief Chapter Services Officer for the Upstate Chapter, shares these disaster response statistics for the first quarter of the chapter's fiscal year which began July 1: the Chapter has responded to 70 disasters-a little more than 23 responses a month-and committed nearly $52,000 in direct financial assistance to individuals affected by disaster. "Last year was a record breaking year," says Eller, "in the first three months of this fiscal year, we are out pacing where we were a year ago at this point." All Red Cross emergency services are free to victims of disaster, paid for by the generous contributions of individuals and businesses who support the Upstate Chapter.

"Thankfully, no one was injured due to this fire" concludes Osborne. "No matter the result, the Red Cross will be there for the residents of the Upstate."

Anderson Hardwood Floor is a 60 year old firm and the second largest supplier of hardwood floors in America.