09/March/2013 – Burn Patients with Air Evacuation – “A” Shift

Incident # 13-01239 – Five people were injured, two critically, in an explosion that occurred at 3098 Rehoboth Road north of Cottageville at 23:18 Saturday evening 09-March. Several teenagers and young adults advised they had been cleaning some property most of the day and were burning the yard debris when the explosion in the burn pit occurred. 9-1-1 Operators received calls from people who reported hearing the explosion a mile from the scene. First arriving Firefighter-Paramedics found multiple severely injured patients and requested two additional ambulances and two medical helicopters. No fire was found. A 14 year old and 19 year old received critical first, second and third burns over various parts of their bodies. Crewmembers were particularly concerned about their facial burns due to the potential for airway problems. Both patients were RSIed at the scene prior to transport. The LifeNet 4 and LifeNet 7 medical helicopters flew the patients to the Still Burn Center in Augusta Georgia. 

A 17 year old who received a large laceration to the leg from flying shrapnel and 18 year old who also received burns were transported by Medic 1 directly from the scene to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. A 20 year old male complained of a minor laceration to his foot, but did not require transportation to the hospital. It appeared a small tank, possibly containing propane, had been placed in the fire with other debris. The tank apparently caused the explosion and fire ball that injured the people. Engine 902 set up a landing zone in a field approximately a mile from the scene. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

Engine 9, Engine 902, Medic 1, Medic 9, Medic 19 and Battalion 1 responded. Capt. Dewayne Jacques served as Incident Commander.

Photos by Harold Buzzell