03/19/2011 – “C” Shift – Structure Fire

Incident # 11-01582 – A mid afternoon structure fire has displaced a Can City Road family. The fire was reported by a neighbor at 14:19 Saturday 19-March at 5096 Can City Road. The caller reported smoke and fire coming from the roof of the mobile home. Responding Firefighters could see a thick black column of smoke five miles from the scene. Engine 26 arrived to find heavy fire conditions in the doublewide mobile home which was about 80% involved. Three handlines were deployed as firefighters made their way into the structure. A defensive exterior attack was initiated for approximately 9 minutes until the flames were knocked down enough to allow personnel to enter through the front door.  Two additional lines were deployed from Engine 24. Firefighters worked for another 20 minutes to control the fire. A chainsaw was used to open up the exterior of the building on the “D” side to reach fire in the void space below the collapsed roof. Overhaul took about 1-1/2 hours. One room of the structure was saved and contained salvageable items. Some personal items and several firearms were saved from the bedroom on the “D” side of the building.  

Investigators believe the fire originated in electrical wiring in the wall between the living room and the kitchen. The Charleston Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family.

Engine 24, Engine 26, Tender 5, Tender 7, Tender 17, Tender 19, Tender 26, Tender 27, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion1 and Car 12 responded. Engineer-Paramedic Blaine Harrison served as Incident Commander.

Photos by Harold Buzzell