4:00 PM Update:

It is important to note that while this investigation is ongoing, the City of Cayce is very thankful that our residents were able to safely return to their homes earlier today. Thank you to our residents for your patience and cooperation. Your safety remains our top priority.

By the Numbers:

• Approximately 80 homes in Cayce were evacuated beginning about 7:30 AM and ending at 1:00 PM. The evacuation took place after a call that hazardous vapors were coming from a tanker truck located at a Cayce business at 627 Poplar Street. Firefighters determined that the vapors were caused by the heating of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, motor fuel and a small amount of antifreeze. The business is fully cooperating with our ongoing investigation to determine cause and corrective measures.
• More than 25 Cayce police officers and 8 Cayce firefighters worked the scene and went door-to-door to assist the residents within a ¼ mile radius of the incident site of the evacuation.
• Residents were also notified by Lexington County’s Code Red notification system. You can sign up to receive notifications here: https://www.lex-co.sc.gov/departments/public-safety-0/emergency-management-division/register-emergency-notifications
• In addition to the Cayce Fire Department and Cayce Police Department, more than 10 local agencies assisted the City of Cayce in today’s efforts: Thank you to Lexington County EMS, Lexington County Fire, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, West Columbia Police Department, West Columbia Fire Department, Columbia Fire Department, Richland County Fire Department, Columbia Haz-Mat/Special Operations, Lexington County LPEC and Lexington County Incident Management.
• At 11:15 am, a 3^rd party clean up company arrived at 627 Poplar Street to unload the chemical products from the tanker truck. The job was completed safely with medical staff and tactical staff nearby. The hazardous chemicals, occupying roughly 1900 gallons of the 4000 gallon tanker truck, were transported offsite for further investigation and proper disposal.
• There were zero injuries stemming from today’s incident.

Cayce Mayor Pro Tem, Tim James, attended a media briefing on the incident and stated, “The safety today comes from a partnership of emergency responders and a great community working in an expeditious manner – Thank you to our first responders and our citizens for your trusting in and quickly adhering to the plan.”