12/December/2015 – Abandoned Bridge Fire – “A” Shift 

Incident # 15-07229 – At 09:57, 9-1-1 Operators received a report of a wooden bridge on fire possibly on Ti Ti Road near Bear Island. The call came from a boater who’s cell phone accessed a tower in Beaufort County. While units were responding a second caller advised the fire was located at the abandoned bridge in the 9800 block of Bennetts Point Road over the Ashepoo River. The old wooden bridge had been replaced in 1980 by the current concrete bridge, however portions of the wooden bridge were left in place to be used as a fishing pier. The south side portion burned down approximately 25 years ago. Engine 21 arrived to find the bridge well involved. Most of the fire was under the bridge and not accessible to firefighters. The top of the bridge was covered by approximately 10 inches of asphalt, making firefighting efforts from the Bennetts Point Road ineffective. Firefighters stood by for several hours keeping the fire from the boat landing adjacent to the bridge. SCDOT erected smoke signs to warn motorists. DHEC and the Coast Guard were also involved in the response. The bridge was allowed to burn until it collapsed. Fire units remained on the scene for several hours and checked on the fire several times during the day.

Engine 6, Engine 21, Tender 2, Tender 6, Tender 28, Brush 2, Medic 6 and Battalion 1 responded. Firefighter-EMT Shane Weber served as Incident Commander.