Kenansville fire draws massive county response

Firefighters from across Duplin County respond to Limestone Road blaze

KENANSVILLE — More than 100 emergency response personnel from 17 departments across Duplin County battled a massive commercial fire for more than seven hours last week at a multi-unit office building on Limestone Road, overcoming challenges to bring the blaze under control.

Duplin County 911 received the call at approximately 9:28 p.m. on Dec. 29. Units from the Kenansville Fire Department arrived first to find a large, actively burning structure. Because of the building’s size and remodeled, multi-occupancy layout, additional departments were dispatched to provide fire suppression, manpower, and water support.

Public Safety Deputy Director Brian Matthis described it as “a pretty complex incident,” noting that crews dealt with multiple roof layers and some structural collapse, which prompted defensive operations. “It’s a blocked building, so the fire department was having some difficulty in accessing the interior portions of the building for fire suppression activities,” he told Duplin Journal.

Heavy water usage quickly strained the municipal system, prompting the activation of Duplin County Tanker Task Forces 1 and 2 and the establishment of two supplemental water points to protect critical infrastructure. Crews cleared the scene around 3:17 a.m. on Dec. 30.

Kenansville Fire Chief Robert Whitman stated that water levels were closely monitored with the Public Works Department and emphasized that supplies were never in danger.

“The town of Kenansville never ran dry,” Whitman said, explaining the tanker task forces were called in as a precaution.

“This incident underscores the professionalism and coordination of fire services throughout Duplin County,” said Matthis. He added that, despite occurring during the holiday season, fire departments across the county responded promptly and worked seamlessly together to manage a complex and prolonged emergency.

The building, which housed four businesses — including the Duplin County Partnership for Children, Mega Force Staffing Group, Duplin OB-GYN Associates, and Task Force on Accountable Care Communities — suffered substantial damage.

“Unfortunately, the businesses that were operating from the structure sustained a total loss of the belongings and items within the structure,” said Matthis.

Residents praised the fire response. “I was scared for my babies and our home,” said Bryanna Williams, who lives three houses from the blaze. She added that she felt safe knowing firefighters were in control and praised them for working well into the night in cold and wet conditions.

The response included 41 fire units: 17 engines from Kenansville, Sarecta, Warsaw, Oak Wolfe, Beulaville, Calypso, Chinquapin, Pleasant Grove, and Potters Hill; 16 trucks from Kenansville, Sarecta, Warsaw, Oak Wolfe, Albertson, Faison, Greenevers, North East, Pin Hook, Pleasant Grove, Potters Hill, Pricetown, Rose Hill, and Wallace; and eight special units, including squads, rescue vehicles, tower, and brush units from Kenansville, Sarecta, Oak Wolfe, Calypso, North East, Pleasant Grove, and Potters Hill. These units worked alongside Duplin County EMS, the Kenansville Police Department, Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, Duplin County Public Safety, and Kenansville Public Works.

Matthis confirmed the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.