News Summary
On April 29, 2025, a commercial fire broke out at Morales Muffler Shop in Gaston, SC, leading to temporary road closures on U.S. 321. Emergency responders contained the fire, deemed accidental, with no injuries reported. Authorities advised motorists to seek alternate routes due to delayed traffic. The origin of the fire remains under investigation, with updates expected to follow. The local community expressed gratitude for the swift emergency response as the situation developed.
Gaston, SC: Fire at Morales Muffler Shop Causes Temporary Road Closures but No Injuries Reported
A commercial structure fire occurred on Tuesday morning, April 29, 2025, at Morales Muffler Shop, located in the 5300 block of U.S. 321 in Gaston, South Carolina. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene as reports of the blaze emerged, and the fire has since been deemed accidental.
Emergency Response and Road Closures
The response team included officials from Lexington County, the Cayce Fire Department, the West Columbia Fire Department, and Lexington EMS. Firefighters worked diligently to contain the fire, which was confined to the business itself. As the emergency response unfolded, police closed multiple lanes of U.S. 321 to ensure the safety of both responders and the public. As of 10:15 a.m., the fire was actively being battled, with no immediate estimates given on how long it would take to extinguish the flames or reopen the affected lanes.
Public Impact and Advice
Drivers in the area experienced delays due to the lane closures, prompting authorities to advise individuals to seek alternate routes. Information later in the day confirmed that there were no injuries reported related to the incident, allowing local residents and business owners to breathe a sigh of relief amidst the ongoing emergency.
Ongoing Investigation
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with officials working to ascertain the precise origin of the flames. Photos released by the Gaston Police Department revealed parts of the Morales Muffler Shop engulfed in flames, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Fire Department Update and Current Status
As firefighters continued their efforts, updates were disseminated to the community regarding the status of the fire and safety measures being implemented. The community expressed gratitude for the swift action of the emergency responders, and by late afternoon, all lanes of U.S. 321 had been reopened to traffic.
Background Context
Gaston, a small but vibrant town in South Carolina, is known for its local businesses and strong community spirit. The Morales Muffler Shop has been a popular choice for auto service in the area and has served local residents for many years. The fire incident marks a rare and alarming event in the typically calm setting of this community.
As the situation continues to develop, local officials encourage anyone with information regarding the fire to come forward. Updates on the investigation, as well as further details on the fire’s impact on the business, will be communicated as they become available.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX News
- Wikipedia: Gaston, South Carolina
- Cola Daily
- Google Search: Gaston South Carolina
- The State
- Google Scholar: Gaston SC fire
- Greenville Business Magazine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gaston South Carolina
- Lexington County Sheriff
- Google News: Gaston SC news

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.


