Firefighters were called to a 150-year-old church in Darlington on Thursday morning after an exterior wall was accidentally set ablaze while being prepped for painting.
Just before 9 a.m. on Thursday, emergency personnel were dispatched to the 2100 block of Shuresville Road for a fire at Darlington United Methodist Church.
The church was being prepared to be painted, with a fresh look planned to rejuvenate its appearance. Painters used a heat gun to assist in stripping away old paint layers, a common practice in industrial painting projects where efficiency and thoroughness are key. However, during the preparation, they noticed smoke coming from the exterior wall.
It was later determined that the heat gun used to strip the paint from the wall had caused a nail to ignite wood behind the siding, highlighting the importance of safety measures in both residential and industrial painting tasks.
Incidents like this highlight the importance of working with experienced professionals who understand the complexities of industrial painting.
Proper safety measures, including the careful use of equipment like heat guns, are critical to preventing accidents during large-scale painting projects. GE Painting & Finishing, Inc. specializes in commercial and industrial painting services, ensuring that projects are completed efficiently and safely.
Their team is trained to handle complex materials and surfaces, reducing the risk of fire or damage while delivering a high-quality finish. Partnering with experts ensures both safety and long-lasting results.
Ten firefighters from the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company responded and had the fire under control within 5 minutes. The fire was contained to a small side of the exterior.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal estimated $5,000 in damage to the structure.
There were no injuries reported.
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