03/20/2011 – “C” Shift – Structure Fire

Incident # 11-01599 – A structure fire at 14941 Cottageville Hwy was one of two structure fires reported at 01:07, Sunday morning 20-March. The fires were received at 9-1-1 simultaneously. In the Cottageville incident, the caller reported hearing noises and upon investigating found a room at the rear of the home well involved. Engine 9, Tender 9 and Medic 9 arrived minutes later to find the single story block structure well involved, with flames through the roof. The home was located well off the road and was not accessible by fire apparatus. Crews deployed two 1-3/4 handlines, but had to add additional hose to the lines to reach the rear of the building. The building contained a heavy fire load. Crews worked for nearly 30 minutes before they could enter the building. It appears the fire started in the room where the resident first saw the flames; then spread up a wall into the attic. The fire appeared to have been burning for quite some time before it was discovered. When the roof failed, shortly after firefighters arrived, it ignited the heavy fire load inside the building. Units were on the scene for about four hours. The Charleston Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the resident.

Engine 9, Engine 11, Tender 2, Tender 5, Tender 9, Tender 903, Tender 19, Medic 9, Squad 9 and Battalion 1 responded. Fire-Commissioner SG Drew served as Incident Commander.