17/July/2013 – Structure Fire – “C” Shift

Incident # 13-03922 – A single family dwelling received heavy damage in a late night fire at 3341 Ashton Road in the Islandton Community, western Colleton County. The incident was reported at 23:59 Thursday evening 17-July while eastside units were clearing up from a working fire near Cottageville. The original caller to 9-1-1 reported a man was trapped inside the burning structure, however he was able to escape before the arrival of Fire-Rescue units. Engine 15, stationed two miles away arrived within minutes, reporting heavy fire conditions and flames through the roof. Engine 15 requested a second alarm, as firefighters deployed two 1-3/4 handlines and stretched a three inch line to set up a master stream near the garage. A pickup truck and mini-van that were parked next the garage, were also well involved.  Firefighter-Paramedics treated an adult male who narrowly escaped the burning building. While exiting he stated he could hear the smoke alarms sounding. He suffered smoke inhalation, was treated at the scene, then transported by Medic 18 to Colleton Medical Center for further treatment.

A water shuttle was established using two nearby dry hydrants. Tenders shuttled water from north and south of the scene, with two Tenders dumping at a time to maintain the water supply requirements. Engine 4 used a dry hydrant on Gibson Road, while Engine 23 set up at a dry hydrant near Williams Farm on Ashton Road. Crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down within 35 minutes, but remained on the scene for 3-1/2 hours performing overhaul and investigating the cause. Two canines did not make it out of the home. Firefighters found the remains of the animals in the garage and buried them in the back yard. The home and contents suffered extensive damage.

Engine 4, Engine 10, Engine 15, Engine 23, Tender 3, Tender 4, Tender 15, Tender 18, Tender 23, Tender 27, Tender 29, Tender 36, Rescue 18, Medic 18, Car 107 and Car 118 responded. Captain Matthew Owens Williams, Jr served as Incident Commander.