Fire that destroyed lab ruled work of arsonist

Someone intentionally started a fire Thursday night that damaged a drug-testing laboratory on Mall Drive, North Charleston fire officials said Friday.

North Charleston Fire and Life Safety Educator Bianca Sancic said the blaze at AccuDiagnostics in the Mall Drive Business Park has been ruled an arson.

"It's destroyed," said Service Master of Charleston Estimator Bruce W. Boyd, who is the project manager for the building's cleanup effort.

Authorities would not release specifics about how the fire started or whether an accelerant was used. AccuDiagnostics representatives could not be reached for comment.

Boyd's team of about seven people worked much of the day Friday to vacuum water from the building and remove charred debris. His estimate was that the cleanup alone will take several weeks and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

It appeared the fire began on the left rear corner of the multi-unit commercial strip next to the Red Lobster, fire officials said. An inverted, v-shaped char mark, a sign of a fire's origin, can be seen on the back of the building in a darkened alley.

Heavy smoke and fire were coming from two sides of the lab when firefighters arrived. As many as 25 firefighters battled the blaze for nearly a half hour before it was under control.

Wells Fargo Financial occupies the two units next to the lab. Those offices were spared from fire, with the exception of the ceiling area in a rear room, but smoke and water damage were extensive.

The phone lines weren't working, and most of about 10 people employed by the office worked from home Friday.

"Our job is to keep them in business," Boyd said. "Wells Fargo is not going to lose any business."

Noah Haglund contributed to this story. Reach Nadine Parks at 937-5573 or nparks@postandcourier.com.