Tryon Presbyterian Church assessing damage after fire Friday

Published 10:00 pm Tuesday, February 28, 2017

TRYON – The Tryon Presbyterian Church is assessing the amount of damage done by a fire Friday afternoon, according to Rev. Dent Davis.

The Tryon Fire Department was alerted to the structure fire at 430 Harmon Field Rd. in Tryon at 12:26 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.

No injuries were reported, according to Tryon Assistant Fire Chief James “Tank” Waters, and the building is insured. Heavy smoke was seen coming from the crawl space and roof with no flames visible.

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Davis explained the fire started in the crawl space under his office, which burned through the flooring.

“The fire started outside and went below the space under my office in the crawl space,” Davis said. “There is a small list of people, like the insurance people and electrician, assessing the damage. We’re fortunate the first responders got it put out very quickly.”

Davis said it is too soon to put a dollar amount on the damage to the church. He said the church sustained some smoke and structural damage but it did not reach the main sanctuary, which is currently being renovated.

The Columbus, Saluda, Landrum and Campobello fire departments assisted with the fire.

The Tryon Downtown Development Association posted on their Facebook page Friday afternoon about Huckleberry’s in Tryon organizing food and drinks to be sent to the fire departments on scene.

According to the TDDA, Buck’s Pizza, Tryon Coffeehouse Co-op, Black Coffee, McGourty’s Pub, Lavender Bistro and Side Street Pizza provided food and drink assistance to the departments.

The Tryon Fire Department and Polk County Fire Marshal Bobby Arledge are still investigating the cause of the fire.