ALDI grocery store in Columbia significantly damaged by overnight fire, officials say
An ALDI grocery store was significantly damaged Thursday during an early morning fire, the Columbia Fire Department said.
It was just before 5 a.m. when firefighters responded to an alarm at the store in the 7600 block of Garners Ferry Road, according to the fire department. That’s near the junction with Interstate 77, in an area densely packed with retail businesses and restaurants.
Firefighters found heavy smoke inside the store and called for a full structure response, the fire department said.
The fire was put out quickly, but the store suffered significant smoke, fire and water damages, according to the fire department.
No injuries were reported.
That ALDI was closed at the time of the fire, and normally doesn’t open until 9 a.m., according to the store’s website. Information about when the store might reopen was not available, and there was no word if the building or its contents were considered a total loss.
A freezer that went up in flames was the source of the fire, officials said.
There was no word if the fire was considered accidental, or if it remains under investigation.
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