A single-family residence was heavily damaged in an early morning fire on Sheldon Court on Tuesday June 4th. A 911 call reported the fire, Colleton County Fire-Rescue arrived to find heavy fire at the north end of the structure with a portion of the roof already collapsed. The bulk of the fire was knocked down within 15 minutes. Most of the structural damage was contained to the north end of the building with the remainder of the home suffering heat, smoke, and water damage. The sole occupant was awakened by smoke alarms provided and installed by County Firefighters last year. The resident and two canines were able to escape the burning home without injury. The Colleton County Council funds free smoke alarms for citizens and install them for free. The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to have started in the back corner bedroom. The Red Cross is assisting the resident.
The smoke alarms alerted the occupants early, allowing them to escape unharmed. We are very grateful for the support from our County Council and Administration to provide smoke alarms to our citizens.
Fires today burn very fast and early notification is essential to survive. Every Colleton County citizen should have working smoke alarms (less than 10 years old) in their homes. If you do not, contact Fire-Rescue Headquarters at 843-539-1960 to schedule a time when firefighters can come install smoke alarms in your home for free.
Fire and Life Safety is very important to us. It is difficult to quantify the number of lives our Prevention Division has saved over the years. We never know when an inspection reveals a code violation that prevents a fire or a plans review results in an additional exit door being added to the structure that allows someone to escape a fire and saves their life. Last night, our prevention efforts saved lives.
