At 04:35 Tuesday morning 11-February, Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue was notified of a structure fire at 1373 Beavers Pass Road east of the Town of Smoaks. The home was located on a rural secondary road. The caller to 9-1-1 reported the home was fully involved. Engine 18 arrived 8 minutes later to find the home completely destroyed, with little left standing. Two campers, two pickup trucks, and the single-story wood frame home next to the structure were also well involved.

Firefighters deployed three handlines to combat the flames, which were driven by moderate winds. A second alarm was requested for additional personnel and tenders. Water supply was conducted with tenders shuttling water from a hydrant a mile away in the Town of Smoaks. Crews worked for 35 minutes to bring the fires under control, but were on the scene for four hours. A neighbor advised fire department personnel that two people lived in the residence, but their over the road truck was gone. Firefighters searched the debris but did not find any evidence of a person in the residence. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Engine 7, Engine 18, Tender 4, Tender 7, Tender 18, Tender 23, Tender 26, Medic 18, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 111 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape and Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Sanders operated the Command Post.

 Photos by Harold Buzzell

 Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue

Photo by Harold Buzzell

Photo by Harold Buzzell

Photo by Harold Buzzell

Photo by Harold Buzzell

Photo by Harold Buzzell