Incident # 21-04722 - Fire-Rescue units responded to a fatal structure fire in the 21000 block of Bells Hwy in the Town of Lodge Tuesday morning 06-July at 10:57. While enroute to the incident 9-1-1 dispatchers received additional reports advising a man was trapped inside the burning structure. Bystanders attempted to reach the man but were driven back by the intense heat and flames. A nearby farmer brought a water truck to the scene and applied water on the fire. Engine 18 arrived 8 minutes after the dispatch and found the single wide mobile home approximately 75% involved with heavy smoke conditions and flames visible. Firefighters were advised the man should be located in the back bedroom. Multiple hand lines were deployed to the building. Crews knocked down the fire in the main portion of the residence while a second crew entered through the rear door. After searching the back bedroom, the victim was located under debris, from where the ceiling had fallen. He was removed from the building and suffered burns, was not breathing and had no pulse. Crews moved the patient to a nearby ambulance and notified the Coroner's Office. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Sheriff's Office and SLED responded to assist with the investigation.
Engine 7, Engine 18, Tender 4, Tender 7, Tender 15, Tender 18, Tender 23, Medic 7, Medic 18, Battalion 1, Car 101, Car 107, Car 112, Car 118 and Car 119 responded. Battalion Chief Chris Jones served as Incident Commander.
