Family loses all in home fire

Posted

At 8:41 a.m. on December 22, a neighbor notified 9-1-1 of seeing smoke and flames above the trees in the 300 block of Langdale Drive. The neighbor thought a home on the property was on fire.
The first unit arrived six minutes later to find a double wide mobile home, which was located well off the roadway, approximately 60% involved. Firefighter-paramedics used a deck gun to knock down the flames, while other crew members deployed multiple hand lines to the structure.
The occupant, who is a local law enforcement officer, had just completed a night shift and returned home to sleep. He was awakened by his dogs to find the home well involved and narrowly escaped without injuries.
Firefighters had the fire under control within 25 minutes and were on the scene for three hours performing overhaul. The home was gutted and the family of four, including two small children, lost most of their belongings. They had no insurance.
The fire appears to have started near a heat lamp on the back porch to keep a litter of puppies warm. Two of the puppies and their mother were located unharmed. No remains of the other three pups were located and it is hoped they ran off into the woods behind the home.
The Red Cross is assisting the family.
A “Gofundme” account has also been established to assist the trooper and his family at https://gofund.me/468b00de. Donations may also be dropped off at the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office or Colleton Fire-Rescue headquarters, both on Mable T. Willis Boulevard.