10/November/2012 – Structure Fire – “B” Shift

Incident # 12-06152 - Quick action by a homeowner’s son saved a family’s home at 355 Rentz Drive Saturday afternoon 10-November. At 14:32 9-1-1 was notified of a house fire at this location. Engine 1 arrived minutes later to find smoke coming from the eaves and roof vents of the single story brick veneer structure. Firefighters deployed one 1-3/4 handline, but only had to remove burned materials and cool down the surrounding walls and roof. The family had been at home when they heard crackling noises from the utility room and began smelling smoke. Upon inspection they found fire coming from the ceiling of the car port and a utility room located under the car port. The fire had spread from the utility room into the common attic and was advancing toward the remainder of the structure. The homeowner’s son grabbed a fire extinguisher and began using the device, first on the burned opening of the ceiling and then in the utility room. He was able to knock down most of the fire. The water lines to the hot water heater were melted, allowing the water to spray in the area of the fire, also helping to contain the fire. 

Firefighters removed burned items that had been stored over the hot water heater and used a handline to extinguish any remaining hot spots. The utility room suffered moderate fire damage and the home received some light smoke damage. All of the home’s electrical lines from the breaker box were burned in the fire. No one was injured during the incident. The Charleston Chapter of the Red Cross was notified to assist the family.

Engine 1, Engine 4, Tender 1, Tender 4, Tender 18, Tender 19, Medic 18 and Battalion 1 responded. Firefighter-Paramedic (Acting Battalion Chief) Steven Scurry served as Incident Commander.