Heavy smoke seen as crews respond to vacuum truck fire in downtown Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire Thursday morning that caused heavy smoke on the peninsula.

Crews with the Charleston Fire Department were dispatched to the area of East Bay Street and Charlotte Street around 8:51 a.m. for what was described as a vacuum truck fire.

Video and photos showed heavy smoke coming from the downtown area.

“Our teams are currently still on scene, and we urge you to exercise caution in the surrounding areas,” the fire department said.

The Charleston Police Department said all routes leading the intersection of E. Bay St. and Charlotte St. are closed including Washington St. from Calhoun St to E. Bay St. Charlotte St. at Concord St.