“C” Shift – Structure Fire

Run # 10- 06189 - A Johnsville Community home was heavily damaged in an early afternoon house fire Saturday afternoon 13-November. At 1437, 9-1-1 Operators received a report of a structure fire at 1377 Community Ave north of the Town of Smoaks. Engine 7 stationed in Smoaks, was enroute to assist Engine 17, Tender 5 and Tender 17 with a large woods fire approximately 1 mile from the scene on Drain Road. Engine 7 and Tender 17 were diverted to the structure fire. Upon arriving, Engine 7 reported heavy smoke conditions with fire already burning through the roof on the “A” side of the building. Firefighters deployed three handlines to combat the fire and made entry through a door on the “B” side.

Most of the fire was in the void space above the living area. The fire spread quickly throughout the void space which was open from one end of the structure to the other. There was no access to the void space from the living area which hampered firefighting efforts.

Fire had already burned completely through the ceiling and roof above the kitchen and burned through the roof in the center of the mobile home shortly after firefighters arrived. A portion of the ceiling and roof collapsed on one interior crew working near the center of the home, temporarily trapping one firefighter under debris. He was quickly rescued by other crew members and did not receive any serious injuries. Interior operations were stopped and all personnel were pulled out the structure. A second alarm was requested for manpower and additional Tenders. Firefighters then conducted a defensive operation for about thirty minutes until they knocked down enough fire to reenter the building. The home suffered extensive damage.

The fire originated in the kitchen, where a family member as frying chicken on the stove. It spread into the void space through a vent pipe over the stove which terminated in the void space. A 19 year old male received burns to his hand while attempting to extinguish the fire. Firefighter-Paramedics on Medic 26 treated him at the scene and transported him to Colleton Medical Center. Fire units remained on the scene for four hours. The Charleston Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family.