Columbia Apartment Fire Displaces 38 People

Authorities respond to blaze at Broad River Trace complex in South Carolina capital

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:47am

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A large fire damaged an apartment complex in the St. Andrews area of Columbia, South Carolina, leaving 38 people displaced, according to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department. The fire occurred at the Broad River Trace complex near the intersection of Broad River Road and Greystone Boulevard, with crews responding just before 4 p.m. on February 3. No injuries or deaths were reported, but the department said "a good many" of the 28 units in the building suffered damage from smoke, fire, and water.

Why it matters

This fire comes just a few years after another nearby apartment complex in Columbia experienced a deadly blaze, highlighting the ongoing challenges of fire safety and emergency response in the city's residential areas.

The details

Firefighters from the Columbia-Richland Fire Department and the Irmo Fire District responded to the fire at the Broad River Trace complex. The crews were able to bring the blaze under control by around 5:30 p.m. on February 3, but not before significant damage was done to many of the 28 units in the building.

  • The fire was first reported just before 4 p.m. on February 3, 2026.
  • Crews had the fire under control by around 5:30 p.m. on February 3, 2026.

The players

Columbia-Richland Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the blaze at the Broad River Trace apartment complex.

Irmo Fire District

The neighboring fire department that also responded to assist with the fire at the Broad River Trace complex.

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What’s next

Authorities have not yet announced a suspected cause for the fire, but say they are investigating the incident.

The takeaway

This apartment fire is a sobering reminder of the need for continued vigilance around fire safety, especially in densely populated residential areas. The response from multiple fire departments highlights the importance of strong emergency coordination in these types of incidents.