03/13/2011 – “C” Shift – Woods Fires 

Incident # 11-01448 - The SC Forestry Commission is investigating three possible arson fires that occurred on Barracada Road Sunday 13-March. The first fire was set on the shoulder of the road in the 2500 block, but was spotted and reported by a passerby a little after 11:00 AM. Engine 19 arrived quickly and stopped the fast moving fire just as it reached a building. The fire did not cause any damage to the structure and firefighters were on the scene for about 20 minutes.  At 4:37 PM, Engine 19 was again called to respond to the 900 block of Barracada Road. They found a fast moving grass/woods fire that was rapidly spreading across a wooded area, endangering a house and several other structures. Flames were over 10 feet in height. Additional units were assigned to the incident bringing an additional Engine, two Tenders and a Medic Unit. Shortly after arriving on the scene, a second large fire was found in the 1900 block. The fire, which started on the edge of the road, was rapidly spreading across an open field and advancing on a house and several farm buildings on the property.

 The second fire had already traveled across approximately four acres and burned around the home. Firefighters alerted two elderly residents who were sleeping inside, then assisted them in evacuating the building. Additional fire units were dispatched to the second incident scene, but the fire, driven by light winds, quickly spread to several piles of stored lumber on the property, burned up to a barn and several other farm buildings, igniting lumber, personal property, stored products and destroying several wooden fences on the property. The fire spread into the woods behind the location engulfing approximately nineteen acres. Approximately six acres burned in the 900 block. Firefighters were stretched thin with the rapid advancing and quick moving fires. Multiple hand lines and deck guns were used off the seven fire apparatus at the two scenes. Several citizens, as well as Sheriff Deputies manned hoses until additional firefighters arrived. A man on a tractor plowed fire lines in the field trying to stop the spread of the flames. Everyone pitched in to extinguish the fires. The SC Forestry Commission responded with three tractors. All units were on the scene for several hours and prevented the destruction of any structures.

The elderly couple escaped without injury and firefighters were able to prevent the flames from damaging their home, but the fire burned right up the structure on three sides. The brick construction help save the building. The barn received minor exterior damage and one additional building received interior damage, when the contents were ignited. Anyone with information regarding the possible origin of the Barracada Road fires or the Coolers Dairy Road/Saw Mill Road fires from Saturday is urged to contact Forestry Ranger Kip Terry at the SC Forestry Commission (843) 538-3708.

Engine 1, Engine 19, Engine 24, Tender 1, Tender 19, Tender 27, Brush 24, Medic 1, Medic 19, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Engineer-EMT-I Chuck Moyer served as Incident Commander in the 900 block. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander in the 1900 block. The SC Forestry Commission responded with three tractors.