Fire burns offices, plant for screen company

GEORGETOWN, S.C. - The administrative offices and part of a plant that makes porch screens have been destroyed by a fire. No injuries were reported.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of Saturday's fire at Screen Tight. About 50 employees were working in the building, but all escaped safely, said company owner Guerry Green.

Crews kept the fire from spreading to facilities at the back of the 10-acre property that are used to produce siding and other vinyl products, county Emergency Services director Mike Mock said.

Green said it is likely the company will put mobile offices on the property to keep employees working.

"We'll figure out something for them," he said.

Green, a former carpenter, designed the screens and built the company from a handful of employees in 1991 to more than 100 employees this year.

On Tuesday, the state Senate will consider confirming Green as the new chairman of the Santee Cooper board of directors, which oversees the $5 billion state-owned utility. He has served as a board member for two years and was nominated to the top post by Gov. Mark Sanford in December.