Colleton County South Carolina Fire-Rescue responded to 1997 Peirce Road at 10:49, December, 11. The first caller reported the front porch of the house was on fire. The second caller to 9-1-1 reported about 3 minutes later that fire was coming out of the windows. Engine 902 arrived within 6 minutes to find the 1-1/2 story 80 year old wood frame structure well involved.
Firefighters used a deck gun and several handlines to combat the fire. There are no hydrants in the area, so a water shuttle was established with four tankers. Crews had the fire under control in about 30 minutes, but were on the scene for nearly 4 hours performing overhaul and conducting an investigation. There were no injuries and little of the home was saved.
The preliminary investigation revealed the fire was electrical in nature and centered around a light on the front porch. A friend of the home owner was in the residence and reported smelling an unusual odor earlier this morning but could not locate the cause. About the time a passerby reported the fire to 9-1-1, he said the smell was very strong and found fire on the front porch that was burning into the house and attic. He safely exited the residence with his dog.
Engine 902, Engine 1901, Tanker 502, Tanker 1904, Tanker 502, Tanker 2402, Battalion 1 and Medic 9 responded. Battalion Chief Daniel Barb served as Incident Commander.
