US based NRI Gujarati’s business destroyed in fire

Hardeeville, South Carolina, America 23 December 2011

Gujarat NRI owned and managed liquor store and mini mart were destroyed early Wednesday when flames broke out in the strip mall at 12284 Speedway Blvd. (S.C. 170), just off Interstate 95 at Exit 5 in Hardeeville.

Hemangini Pandya owned and managed the liquor store and mini mart and could only stand there watching the cleanup after working all night in Savannah.

“I was at work and my husband called me about 3:45 a.m.,” she said, visibly holding back tears. “I had to wait until someone came in to get off work and come here.”

At least four businesses — two bars, a liquor store with a mini mart and a produce stand — were destroyed in this fire incident.

Hardeeville Fire Chief Dan Morgan said the department was alerted just before 3 a.m. for the commercial structure fire. The first crew arriving reported heavy smoke and fire conditions as they made the initial attack on the fire.

“It’s an older building, there was no sprinkler system because it was built before strict fire codes were established,” Morgan said at the scene. “Two bars with all of their alcohol, plus the liquor store with its contents — they’re still cleaning up.”

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating.