Following the completion of the Day 4 weigh-in at the Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes, the Chevy Silverado 3500 hauling the Bassmaster Media Center caught fire around 8 p.m. ET, causing extensive damage to both the truck and Media Center.
As the truck was returning to the Relaxed Retreat where the tournament crew stayed during the tournament, the driver Keith Bertus reported seeing warning lights appear on the dashboard indicating issues with the ABS and StabiliTrak system. There was no noticeable difference in driving ability, so he continued at a slow pace to the resort entrance, where he was alerted to a fire on the rear passenger side.
Bertus exited the vehicle and attempted to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher, not knowing what kind of material or substance was fueling the fire. He deployed two more fire extinguishers before the back tires exploded, forcing him to retreat to safety.
Another CTA, Mike Bertus, as well as residents of nearby cabins, attempted to put the fire out with more fire extinguishers before the Clarendon County Fire Department arrived within several minutes. Relaxed Retreat owner Chris Biddle also brought a hose out to the scene and once it was determined it was safe to use water, began hosing down the flames as firefighters arrived.
“It is important to note that the B.A.S.S. crew members present at the scene were actively attempting to extinguish the fire and were not simply standing by without taking action, despite how the situation may have appeared in video footage,” Elite Series tournament director Lisa Talmadge said. “The situation had become hazardous enough that he could have been seriously injured had he remained close to the vehicle. Following the first tire explosion, two additional tires also exploded during the firefighting efforts. One couple staying at Relaxed Retreat reported that rubber from the first exploding tire struck their cabin area, further demonstrating the severity and danger of the incident.”
The rear of the truck was heavily damaged while the Media Center’s gooseneck, electrical components and front storage area sustained damage as well. It is not known at this time if the trailer was structurally compromised.
Most importantly, no injuries were reported by B.A.S.S. crew members, Relaxed Retreat occupants or local firefighters.
