SC Firefighter Injured in Blast During Fatal House Blaze

April 16, 2020
While crews from multiple fire departments battled a blaze that broke out at a home in Pelzer, an explosion knocked out the structure's front wall, injuring at least one firefighter.

At least one South Carolina firefighter was injured after an explosion during a house fire that killed a woman late Wednesday.

The blaze broke out at around 11 p.m. at a home in Pelzer, WSPA-TV reports. Multiple departments responded to the fire.

While crews were battling the flames, an explosion knocked out the house's front wall. The blast injured at least one firefighter, who was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Crews were able to extinguish the flames in about 15 minutes. The Anderson Technical Rescue Team was called in to help shore up the structure following the explosion, according to WSPA.

Although the cause of the fire is under investigation, officials believe an oxygen tank caused the explosion. The woman who died was in her 30s, and she was staying alone in her parents' house, WSPA added.