Stations 1, 19,
24, 26 and 27 responded to a house fire at 402 Gadsden Loop at the
corner of June Street, Thursday evening 23-October at 1758. Engine
1 arrived to find smoke coming from the one story dwelling. The
homeowner was exiting the burning building carrying an invalid
child. She indicated the fire was in the kitchen. Firefighters entered
the building with one 1-3/4" handline and found heavy fire
conditions in the kitchen. The fire which originated on the stove had
spread to the cabinets and was extending across the ceiling. The crew
quickly pushed back the flames sparing any additional damage to the
residence.
The homeowner's
quick actions in getting the child out of the house prevented any
injuries to the bedridden child. When she discovered the fire burning
rapidly in the kitchen, rather than attempting to extinguish the fast
moving fire, she had enough presence of mind not to panic and went to
back bedroom to save the child. The woman had to carry the child back
through the smoke to get out of the house, however she denied any need
for medical treatment from Firefighter-Paramedics. The accidental fire
originated on the stove and caused substantial damage to the kitchen,
however damage to the remainder of the residence was slight, with smoke
damage throughout the building, but little heat damage. Firefighters
were on the scene for a little over one hour.
This was the
second time in six years Colleton Firefighters have saved this residence
from destruction. A fire six years ago heavily damaged the rental
property when another tenant resided there. Firefighters rescued and
successfully resuscitated "Scooby Doo", a young Labrador from
the previous fire. The dog made a full recovery and is now living in
Summerville with his owners.
Engine 1, Engine
24, Tender 1, Tender 19, Tender 26, Medic 27, Battalion 1 and Truck 12
responded. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.
