Erin Gillespie Email
May 8 2016 9:13 am May 8 6:03 pm
Isle of Palms Fire Department crew members look over The Citadel Beach Club after putting out the early morning fire Sunday. Isle of Palms Fire Department crew members look over The Citadel Beach Club after putting out the early morning fire Sunday. PROVIDED BY MIC SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
A couple escaped without injury when an early morning fire broke out at the Citadel Beach Club on the Isle of Palms.
Around 3:43 a.m., the Isle of Palms Fire Department received a call reporting the blaze at 4700 Palm Blvd.
Two people were inside the building sleeping when the fire broke out. Isle of Palms Fire Chief Ann Graham said the man heard a noise, and after waking up, heard the blaring fire alarm. He woke his wife and both were able to escape. “They got out OK,” Graham said.
The Citadel confirmed in a tweet that no one inside was hurt.
One firefighter was transported to East Cooper Medical Center, treated and released.
The Citadel Beach Club is a popular event venue, spanning five acres of oceanfront property on Isle of Palms.
The Citadel’s Alumni Association tweeted that the venue and its parking lot are closed until further notice.
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The two-story beach house is rented out by The Citadel for wedding receptions, corporate functions and other events throughout the year. The Citadel’s Alumni Association tweeted that the venue and its parking lot are closed until further notice.
“The fire was from the ground through all three floors through the roof,” Graham said.
With the help of the Sullivan’s Island and Mount Pleasant Fire Departments, the Isle of Palms Fire Department had the blaze under control within 45 minutes.
Charleston County EMS, the Isle of Palms Police Department and the Charleston County Rescue Squad and the Red Cross also responded.
“We appreciate the assistance of all involved,” Graham said.
The apartment area of the beach house was “pretty much destroyed,” Graham said, and there is extensive water and smoke damage throughout the building. There was a wedding at the venue last night, according to Graham. She confirmed that the building is currently closed.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.