A Smoak Rd family lost their home in an afternoon fire Sunday 07-August. At 14:52, Colleton County (SC) 9-1-1 operators began receiving reports of explosions and smoke coming from a wooded area in the 1500 block of Smoak Road east of Walterboro. Several callers noted there was a home located down a long dirt driveway. Responding units could see a thick column of black smoke three miles from the scene.

Colleton County Fire-Rescue Medic 1 arrived in the area and had some difficulty locating the residence. The narrow driveway was almost completely obscured by trees and brush. Once on scene, they found a doublewide mobile home fully-involved at 1492 Smoak Road. The roof had already collapsed. Engine 19 initially used a deck gun to knock down most of the fire and deployed two 1-3/4 handlines to extinguish the remaining flames. Firefighters had the fire under control in about 20 minutes, but were on the scene for two hours performing overhaul.

No one was home when the fire occurred, but crews were able to make contact with the homeowner. She advised earlier in the day, the power in the home had been flickering. She left approximately an hour prior to the fire being reported. Water supply was conducted with tenders.

Engine 19, Engine 27, Tender 1, Tender 9, Tender 19, Tender 26, Tender 27, Medic 1, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Firefighter-Paramedic Zack Huber served as Incident Commander.

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

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo

Barry W. McRoy photo