Jack Rogers Tire Pros announces closure after April fire

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Jack Rogers Tire Pros shop has announced it will close permanently after a fire destroyed the business in April.

On their Facebook page, they asked for prayers during this hard time.

The fire occurred on April 1.

Aiken Department of Public Safety dispatchers said the call came in at 2:18 a.m. for the fire at 1724 Richland Ave. East.

We spoke to Capt. Marty Sawyer about what they found.

Sawyer says, “a couple of our officers at headquarters could see the globe of the fire.”

Upon arrival, the fire was about 50% through the roof. Officers say they then called for extra manpower, including volunteers.

Sawyer says there was one power line down, which caused a short delay.

The Aiken Public Safety Department, Beech Island Fire Department, and Graniteville-Vaucluse-Warrenville Fire Department were just some of the crews on scene.

Sawyer says, the building “is a total loss.”

Crews were working to clear the tires with the roof falling on top of them, he said.

We spoke with the owner, James Rogers, who said: “It’s a cruel April Fool’s joke, that’s what I thought it was this morning. That’s my life. It’s all I’ve ever known.”

But as he drove up to the building, he realized what he was seeing was very real.

“It was fully engulfed when I got there,” said Rogers.

The shop had thousands of tires stacked up, even on the second floor.

The shop had been in business since 1975.

“I hope to come back one day and start over. I don’t know I’m 67 years old. I just don’t know,” he said.

Rogers says he is “emotional and devastated for his employees.” He told us he doesn’t know what’s next.

Rogers says he’s grateful no one was hurt and for law enforcement’s response.

“Hopefully the lord will look after us and all my employees and we can go from there,” he said.

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