Stations 3, 10,
15, 18 and 23 responded to a dwelling fire at 50 Mingo Lane near
Stephens Crossroads Saturday morning 27-September at 0445. Engine 18
arrived and reported the single lane dirt road was not passable by fire
apparatus. The two prior days of rain had turned the dirt road into a
soupy mess. Engine 18 set up on Carter's Ford Road at the head of Mingo
Lane. Firefighters pulled 600 feet of three inch hose by hand down the
narrow road to reach the burning structure. The approximately 60 year
old six room wood frame structure was already fully involved. Much of
the structure was already destroyed when units arrived. Firefighters
quickly brought the fire under control with a solid bore nozzle attached
to the three inch line. A gated wye was later connected and two 1-3/4
handlines used to overhaul the building. A water shuttle was established
for water supply. Engine 10 set up at the dry hydrant on Lowcountry
Highway north of Bells Crossroads. Four 3000 gallon tankers shuttled
water for the firefighting operation.
The home was
completely destroyed by the fire. A vehicle parked next to the home
received moderate fire damage to the front end. Three people were at
home at the time of the fire. All three escaped the building.
The homeowner
received minor burns to his hands after he attempted to extinguish the
fire, however he denied medical treatment at the scene. The home was not
equipped with smoke detectors. The fire apparently started by
one of the occupants smoking in bed. Firefighters remained on the
scene for over 3-1/2 hours. The family did not have any insurance. The
Colleton United Way and American Red Cross are assisting the family.
Engine 18, Engine
10, Engine 15, Tanker 3, Tanker 15, Tanker 18, Tanker 23, Medic 18,
Squad 23, Battalion 1 and Truck 12 responded. Engineer/Paramedic Joey
Campbell served as Incident Commander.
