Fire Destroys Edwards Motor Co. Plant Here

The Spartanburg Herald
March 4, 1954

Fire destroyed the Edwards Motor Co. building, equipment and supplies on the Asheville highway early Wednesday morning.

Damage was estimated at $60,000, including the building, valued at $10,000. The building was owned by Smith Implement Co.

J. R. Edwards, secretary-treasurer and general manager of Edwards Motor, said the blaze started about 3:30.

Mr. Edwards said a GMC Diesel tractor that was being pushed into the building for repairs struck an oil stove in the garage portion of the building.

When the burning stove overturned, oil covered the floor and was quickly ignited, he said. The manager said the fire became uncontrollable almost from the start.

Seven employes of the firm were in the building when the fire started, but all escaped uninjured.

The building housed the office, parts room and garage. Mr. Edwards said the majority of everything the company owned was in the building.

A number of cars and trucks parked near the building were driven to safety. Only one truck outside the building was slightly damaged, Mr. Edwards said.

City firemen were at the scene for more than two hours. Nearby outbuildings were not damaged. Only the concrete walls remained standing in the motor company building.

Several hundred feet of hose was piped to the burning structure along the highway from a hydrant in front of Goodwin Truck and Tractor Co. This temporarily blocked the highway and traffic was detoured around the hose line. State highway patrolmen and county police were on the scene to direct traffic.

The demolished structure was erected in 1946 and formerly was occupied by L. H. Barnett & Son, used car dealers.

R. E. Foil is president of Edwards Motor. Mr. Edwards said the company plans to operate in the same location.