HARDEEVILLE, S.C. () — Lowcountry firefighters ran into a smoking building on Thursday, but it wasn’t just a regular structure fire.

It was all part of a training exercise where firefighters geared up and tested their response to house fires. The building gave them a look into how fire reacts to normal household materials.

“We have to do training in controlled environments, i.e. burned buildings and things that we’re not able to get the real feel scenario of like a regular structure,” Hardeeville Assistant Fire Chief Joey Rowell said.

Neighbors gathered right behind Station 18 in Hardeeville with picnic chairs to watch the firefighters in action. They were also told tips on how to prevent house fires and how to react if one happens.

The simulation was unique for both the public and firefighters.

“So, this is an acquired structure that will be demolished here in a few days,” Rowell said. “But we’re taking advantage of that because it actually shows how the fire can progress in a real structure and shows real life scenarios of how the fire reacts with the type of material that are in houses and other structures throughout the community.”

The Hardeeville Fire Department hosted the event, but they were joined by neighboring fire departments and even some out of state firefighters.