Firefighters burned in fatal fire that kills Colleton woman

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By HEATHER RUPPE

A raging house fire killed a Colleton County woman last week and also injured at least three others, including two firefighters who were inside the flame-filled house trying to extinguish the flames.

The fire occurred on Thursday, March 17th inside a house located in the 100-block of Gadsden Loop in Walterboro. “We were called to the house fire with a person trapped inside … when we arrived, the brick house was already involved with flames, with fire coming from the roof, front windows and door,” said Colleton County Fire-Rescue Chief Barry McRoy.

Two people were living at the house when the fire occurred - a 24-year-old woman and a 59-year-old woman. The 59-year-old woman, identified as Jamie Miley, of Walterboro, died in the fire, according to Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey.

The second woman who was in the house at the time of the fire was also injured: this 24-year-old woman suffered from smoke inhalation. She was treated at the scene and then transported to Colleton Medical Center for further treatment.

Additionally, two local firefighters were burned in the fire.

On Monday, McRoy said the two injured firefighters were recovering from burns to their shoulders, arms and backs. They did not require hospitalization, he said.

According to McRoy, the unidentified 24-year-old woman told firefighters she heard a “loud pop” inside the house. When she went to investigate, there was no power in the house and she found smoke “banked” four-feet from the door.

“She made an attempt to reach a 59-year-old female in a back bedroom, but was driven out by the heat and smoke,” McRoy said. “She ran down the street to get help and she returned with her uncle.”

The two people tried for a second time to get to the woman in the house, but could not reach her from smoke and flames.

Firefighter-Paramedics arrived six minutes after the 911-call was placed to dispatch.

Firefighter crews used a ladder to get into the bedroom window, in an effort to search for the woman. However, the bedroom “flashed over” with flames.

“Firefighters narrowly escaped by diving out of the window,” said McRoy.

Two firefighters suffered non-life-threatening burns.

Crews continued to work inside the house for about 30 minutes and then located the woman, who was deceased when she was found, said McRoy.

According to McRoy, the fire appears to have started from an electrical problem.

“The occupants advised us that the home had electrical issues and Fire-Rescue had responded to the location for electrical problems in the past,” he said. “The home was heavily damaged in the fire, Two rooms were saved with little damage to the contents.”

The American Red Cross is assisting the family.