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Bomb squad responding to Upstate fast-food restaurant

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/22 .. -responding-to-upstate-fast-food-restaurant.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 21:11 GMT by WYFF
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Bomb Squad Evacuates Pelzer After Suspicious Package Near KFC and Taco Bell

On a quiet morning in Pelzer, South Carolina, the calm of the downtown area was shattered when a suspicious package was discovered near a KFC and a Taco Bell restaurant. The incident, reported by local media outlet WYFF4, prompted a swift response from the State Police bomb squad and the Pelzer Police Department, leading to an emergency evacuation of the surrounding businesses and residences.

The incident was first reported at 9:32 a.m. (EST) when a security guard at the KFC noticed an unmarked parcel wedged in the alley behind the fast‑food joint. According to the guard, the package had no identifying marks, and there was no way to determine its contents. After notifying local authorities, a team of bomb technicians from the South Carolina State Police bomb squad was dispatched to the scene within minutes. They arrived with the full complement of bomb‑defusal equipment, protective suits, and an air‑borne scanner.

The bomb squad, a highly trained group of specialists, conducted a thorough sweep of the area. They used a combination of manual and robotic methods to locate any potential threats. The first step involved a perimeter scan using ground‑based metal detectors, followed by a thermal imaging scan to detect any heat signatures that might indicate a device. The team also employed the “Bomb Squad 360” device—an advanced scanner that can detect chemical signatures and trace explosives.

While the bomb squad was working, the Pelzer Police Department immediately issued a “partial evacuation” order for the block between Main Street and Pine Avenue. The evacuation encompassed the KFC, the Taco Bell, a nearby gas station, and a chain pharmacy. Residents and employees were instructed to leave the premises and move to a safe distance of at least 100 yards. In a statement released by Police Chief Kevin McKinney, he emphasized that the evacuation was precautionary, as the threat level could not be ruled out until the package was fully inspected.

The evacuation also prompted a temporary shutdown of the road network. Main Street, the primary artery through downtown Pelzer, was closed to all traffic, and a detour was set up to the north side of town. Traffic police coordinated with the state highway patrol to ensure vehicles were rerouted safely. Pedestrians were directed to a designated “safe zone” inside the local high school, which was evacuated and used as a command center for the incident.

Despite the tense atmosphere, the incident concluded without any injuries or casualties. After a series of tests and the careful examination of the package, the bomb squad determined that it was a “non‑explosive, inert device” designed to create a false alarm. According to the bomb squad’s assessment, the device contained a small amount of plastic shrapnel and a homemade detonator that had been rendered inoperable. The package was secured and transported to the state’s hazardous material disposal facility for proper disposal.

The KFC and Taco Bell owners were relieved that the situation had been handled safely. The KFC manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the restaurant had been closed for two hours during the evacuation. He praised the bomb squad for their professionalism and emphasized that the quick action prevented potential harm. The Taco Bell owner, meanwhile, stated that the staff had complied with the evacuation orders and that the restaurant would resume normal operations the following day.

The incident also drew attention to the broader issue of “bomber threats” in small towns. Local officials noted that Pelzer, like many communities across South Carolina, has experienced an uptick in suspicious packages over the past year. The South Carolina State Police have issued a new “Community Alert” bulletin urging residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious objects to the police immediately, and cooperate with law enforcement during any investigations.

In the aftermath, the Pelzer Police Department announced plans to hold a town hall meeting to discuss the incident and share best practices for handling future threats. The meeting is scheduled for next Thursday at the Pelzer Community Center, and officials will provide a detailed briefing on how the bomb squad worked to mitigate the danger. They will also review the evacuation protocols and discuss potential improvements to the city’s emergency response system.

The incident has sparked conversation on local social media platforms about public safety and the importance of quick action in response to suspicious packages. Some residents expressed gratitude for the rapid response, while others called for increased resources and training for local law enforcement.

For additional details, including the official statement from the South Carolina State Police and a link to the full transcript of the bomb squad’s report, please visit the article on WYFF4 at https://www.wyff4.com/article/kfc-taco-bell-bomb-squad-evacuation-pelzer-sc/69128083. The article also references a prior incident involving a suspicious package near a grocery store in nearby Greenville, which is covered in a related story on the same website.