Lightning apparently struck a transformer in Five Points late Thursday afternoon, knocking out traffic lights, evacuating businesses and burning through a restaurants roof.
Marks Place on Harden Street sustained damage after fluid from the transformer spewed onto the roof, catching fire at 5:43 p.m., Columbia Fire Chief Bradley Anderson said.
Two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion but were not taken to the hospital, Deputy Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins said.
Jenkins estimated the damage to Marks Place at between $15,000 and $20,000.
SCE&G shut down the power grid for about an hour, which meant traffic lights as far away as Pickens Street were inoperable.
The outage backed up traffic as drivers cautiously approached busy intersections, pointing at each other trying to decide who had the right of way. Columbia police reported no accidents.
Marks Place owner Mark Waid said that while damage was limited to the roof and kitchen area, its enough to keep him closed for two to three weeks.
Waid also owns Doctor Roccos on Harden Street.
Three businesses on Harden Street -- Marks Place, Natural Vibrations and Gracies are in front of the transformer, which was on a power pole in the back. Witnesses reported hearing a series of explosions.
I just took off running, said Wendell Guyton, 42, a manager at Marks Place. I came out here, and the flames were shooting up, 15 or 20 feet high.
Natural Vibrations, which sells clothing and other items, came away with smoke damage, and owner Jason Wilds said hell be trying to get the smell out of the clothes for weeks.
It took firefighters 17 minutes to put the fire out, dispatch records show. Anderson said about five fire trucks responded to the scene because when you have a lot of old buildings that are side by side, it is a concern.
The fire came after a severe thunderstorm hit the area, packing small hail and 60 mph winds. The storm knocked power lines down, and Columbia Police had to close a section of Bull Street from the Taylor Street intersection to Calhoun Street.
Reach Beam at (803) 771-8405.
Distributed by the Associated Press
