13/October/2015 – Structure Fire – “A” Shift

Incident # 15-05947 - County Fire-Rescue and City of Walterboro Firefighters extinguished a well involved house fire Tuesday afternoon 13-October. The initial caller to 9-1-1 only provided an approximate location near the intersection of Rivers Street and Proctor Street, which placed the residence in the 500 block in the County. Fire-Rescue was dispatched to the home at 17:18. While enroute, a Walterboro Police Officer arrived at the location and advised the home was actually located in the City limits in the 400 block of Rivers Street. City Fire Units were then assigned to the incident. County Fire-Rescue apparatus were already near the scene and continued responding. County Engine 1 arrived to find the rear of the single story wooden residential dwelling well involved with heavy smoke conditions and flames coming from the rear of the structure as well as the roof. Firefighter-Paramedics deployed two 1-3/4 handlines and quickly knocked down the bulk of the flames from the exterior of the building. This allowed a second crew to enter the structure from the front and finish extinguishing the fire. City Ladder 1 laid a 5 inch supply line from a hydrant ½ block north of the house, to supplement the water supply from County Tender 1. City Firefighters also participated in fire attack.

Crews laddered the north side of the building, removing boards from the attic area to reach the remaining fire in the attic. Most of the fire damage was contained to the room of origin near the rear of the structure, however the remainder of the home suffered heat, smoke and water damage. No one was at home when the fire occurred and no injuries were reported. The Walterboro Police Department is investigating the cause of the fire. The two departments worked well together resulting in a positive outcome.

County Engine 1, Engine 12, Tender 1, Tender 19, Tender 27, Medic 1, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 107 and Car 118 responded. City Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Ladder 1 and Car 1 responded. County Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.