11/01/2011 – Camper Fire – “B” Shift

Incident # 11-05852 – A large fifth wheel camper burned on I-95 at the 50 mile marker northbound, Tuesday morning 1-November at 10:09. The occupants of the truck pulling the camper noted they heard a popping noise, then saw flames coming from the area of the tires. They were able to stop in the breakdown lane and used three fire extinguishers on the fire with little results. They then disconnected the pickup truck and called 9-1-1. Engine 1, Tender 1 and Medic 1 arrived 8 minutes later to find the camper well involved. Engine 1 deployed two 1-3/4 handlines to fight the fire. The intense flames were driven by high winds and reached the median. Firefighters blocked the northbound lanes until the fire was under control. An additional Tender was requested, bringing Tender 26 to the scene, but it was not used. Firefighters had some problems reaching the flames directly under the camper. A K-12 saw was used to cut holes in the flooring to reach the flames. One firefighter received an injury to his ankle, when he stepped off of the pavement onto uneven ground. 

Firefighter-Paramedics splinted his leg, then transported him to Colleton Medical Center for treatment of his injury. I-95 northbound was backed up for several miles. The highway was reopened after approximately 50 minutes. The camper suffered heavy damage, but some valuables were salvaged.

Engine 1, Tender 1, Tender 26, Medic 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 110 and Car 116 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as Incident Commander.