UPDATE: The fire at McDonald’s on Columbia’s South Providence was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, CFD says

By Brian Hauswirth
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Columbia fire marshals say this week’s fire that caused heavy damage to the McDonald’s on South Providence was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

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Columbia firefighters battled a fire Tuesday afternoon at the McDonald’s in the 200 block of South Providence (August 4, 2026 photo courtesy of CFD’s Facebook page)

The Columbia Fire Department (CFD) says Tuesday afternoon’s fire was accidental. The restaurant, which is Columbia’s newest McDonald’s, remains closed on this Friday morning.

Two Columbia firefighters were evaluated for heat-related illnesses, after working the fire. There were no injuries to civilians.

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The Columbia Fire Department (CFD) says 42 firefighters worked Tuesday afternoon’s fire at the McDonald’s on South Providence (August 4, 2026 photo courtesy of CFD’s Facebook page)

42 firefighters responded to the McDonald’s fire, which caused smoke throughout the downtown area.