Incident # 25-09626 - A Colleton County woman was injured and displaced from her home following an early morning structure fire in the 100 block of Cox Street Thursday morning 04-December. The fire was reported at 05:27 by a neighbor. The occupant was asleep in a chair when she was awakened by her blanket being on fire. She advised it was ignited by a nearby space heater. The woman received burns to her legs, but was able to escape the burning home. She ran to a neighbor's house to obtain help. Engine 19 arrived approx 6 minutes later, to find the singlewide mobile home approx 40 percent involved. Firefighter-Paramedics deployed multiple handlines to the building and crews entered the structure to extinguish the fire. Other crews treated the woman for her injuries and transported her to HCA Colleton Hospital in Fire-Rescue Medic 1. The fire was under control in approximately 20 minutes. Units were on the scene for 2-1/2 hours performing overhaul. The space heater and the remains of the chair were located and the fire appears to have started in that area of the home. The Red Cross was called to assist the woman.
The home had no working smoke alarms. Colleton County residents are reminded that the County Council funds free smoke alarms for residents of the County Fire District, including the Towns of Cottageville, Lodge, Smoaks and Williams. Citizens are encouraged to contact Fire-Rescue Headquarters at (843) 539-1960 to make an appointment for Firefighters to come and install the free smoke alarms in their homes. Early fire detection can save lives and reduce property damage. The smoke alarms are provided at no cost to the residents. Additionally, space heaters should be given plenty of space. They should always be placed at least 3 feet from any objects, especially combustible materials, such as clothing, furniture or other personal items.
Engine 19, Engine 27, Tender 1, Tender 9, Tender 19, Tender 26, Medic 1, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Scott O'Quinn served as Incident Commander.
