Incident # 23-09703 - An alert mail carrier discovered a large grass fire that was endangering a home in the 800 block of Cromwell Lane at 13:00 Thursday 21-Dec. Ms. Vicki Tripp was delivering mail on her route when she found the large fire burning. She called 9-1-1. Neighbors also jumped into action and used garden hoses to slow the progression of the fire. Engines 19 and 26 arrived and deployed multiple hand lines to control the blaze. The flames had damaged items in the yard and reached a small Dodge pickup truck which was fully involved. Firefighters kept the flames from reaching the home on the property. Approximately one acre of grass and woods was burned. The fire is believed to have spread from a yard debris fire.
Our mail carriers do a tremendous job in our communities. In addition to delivering the mail and packages, they ride every road each day. This gives them the opportunity to help protect citizens, because they are aware of changes and observe hazards that occur. Colleton's mail carriers have found many emergencies over the years and assisted residents during those emergencies, whether it was a fire or medical emergency. We have seen them assist persons at auto accidents, report fires and in one case a few years ago the carrier found a house on fire and rescued the occupant from the burning building.
Engine 19, Engine 26, Tender 19, Brush 27, Battalion 1 and Car 112 responded. Battalion Chief Scott OQuinn served as Incident Commander.
