Harold Buzzell

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3-Alarm fire in Walterboro, SC – January 30, 2017

Posted by firescenesadmin on January 31, 2017
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A Walterboro (SC) family was displaced following a structure fire at 212 Brights Court Monday afternoon, 30-January at 17:36. Callers to 9-1-1 reported the fire started in the area of the kitchen and then spread with smoke and flames reported to be coming from the attic.

Car 107 arrived to find heavy smoke conditions from all sides of the approx. 4000 sq ft home with flames visible from the south end of the building. Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue Engine 1 arrived and deployed two 1-3/4 handlines and used the deck gun in an effort to knock down the flames. As firefighters made entry through the front door, the roof erupted in flames along the ridge vent extending across the structure. Crews attempted an interior attack, but were evacuated from the building a short time later.

A second alarm was requested shortly after arrival as firefighters performed a defensive attack from outside the building. A charged power line fell from the building minutes after arrival blocking access to the rear of the south end of the structure. An additional 1-3/4 and one 2-1/2 handline were deployed.

Water supply was handled with a tender shuttle. A third alarm was issued for manpower 50 minutes into the incident. Crews worked for nearly 1-1/2 hours to gain control of the fire which extended throughout the common attic and damaged most rooms in the residence. The home suffered substantial damage. The fire appears to have started in the breaker box behind the kitchen and extended into the attic. The home had several additions. Fire units were on the scene for seven hours. No injuries were reported during the incident. The American Red Cross is assisting the family.

Engine 1, Engine 9, Tender 1, Tender 2, Tender 6, Tender 19, Tender 22, Tender 26, Tender 27, Medic 1, Medic 6, Medic 13, Medic 19, Car 107, Car 109, Car 118, and Car 119 were at the scene. Assistant Chief Marty Stallings served as Incident Commander.

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

fire department water tender dumps into portable tank with house on fire

Barry W. McRoy photo

Colleton County SC firefighters at work

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighter with PPE exiting burning building

Harold Buzzell photo

firefighters battle house fire with heavy flames

Barry W. McRoy photo

fire department water tender dumps into portable tank with house on fire

Barry W. McRoy photo

fire department water tender dumps into portable tank

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighters with hose line in garage

Harold Buzzell photo

Working fire in Colleton County, SC – January 23, 2017

Posted by firescenesadmin on January 24, 2017
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, NEW. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

A large barn at Circle M Ranch located at 2927 Cottageville Hwy (US Hwy 17-A) north of Walterboro was destroyed in an early morning fire 23-January. At 00:28 a passerby reported to 9-1-1 that the building was on fire and the roof have already collapsed. Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue units arrived minutes later to find the approximately 4,500 sq. ft. barn fully involved. Little of the building was still standing.

Firefighters deployed multiple hand lines to combat the blaze. A water shuttle operation was initiated for water supply. Crews contended with high winds which were a contributing factor in the rapid spread of the fire. The Circle M Ranch boards, sells, and trains horses. Most of the horses escaped injury, however one horse perished in the fire.

Firefighters were on the scene for three hours. Heavy thunderstorms were in the area most of the day and evening, bringing high winds, rain, and lightning.  The fire is suspected to have been storm related, but the cause is still under investigation.

Engine 19, Engine 27, Engine 36, Tender 1, Tender 9, Tender 19, Tender 26, Tender 27, Medic 1, Medic 9, Medic 19, Battalion 1, Car 109, and Car 111 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as Incident Commander.

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

firefighters battle barn fire at night

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighters battle barn fire at night

Barry W. McRoy photo

Colleton County Fire Rescue battles barn fire at night

Barry W. McRoy photo

Colleton County Fire Rescue battles barn fire at night

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighters battle barn fire at night

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighters battle barn fire at night

Harold Buzzell photo

Working fire in Colleton County, SC – November 16, 2016

Posted by firescenesadmin on November 16, 2016
Posted in: Fire Rescue Scene photos, NEW. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue units were sent to 304 Carolina Circle north of Walterboro, Wednesday morning 16-November at 03:02. Engine 19 arrived to find a single-story residential dwelling with flames visible from the roof. All occupants had safely exited the structure. Firefighter-Paramedics deployed multiple handlines to combat the fire which was burning throughout the attic. Crews pulled the ceilings in several rooms to reach the flames. It appeared the fire originated in the chimney and spread to the attic. The electrical service line burned through and fell from the home. When the power went off, the occupants were awakened and discovered the fire which had already burned through a portion of the roof and they alerted 9-1-1.

Firefighters worked for about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control, but were on the scene for three hours. Most of the fire damage was contained to the attic and roof, however the remainder of the home suffered water and smoke damage. Many personal items were saved. Water supply was handled with Tenders.

Engine 19, Engine 26, Tender 1, Tender 5, Tender 19, Tender 26, Medic 1, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 107, Car 110 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Scott O’Quinn served as Incident Commander.

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

ranch house on fire with flames

Harold Buzzell photo

firefighters battle ranch house on fire with flames

Barry W. McRoy photo

ranch house on fire with flames

Barry W. McRoy photo

Battalion Chief Scott O’Quinn

Barry W. McRoy photo

Colleton County fire engine at fire scene

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighters overhaul after house fire

Barry W. McRoy photo

2-Alarm fire in Colleton County, SC – October 17, 2016

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 17, 2016
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A Walterboro (SC) family lost their home to an early morning fire Monday, 17-Oct. The fire was reported to 9-1-1 at 02:38 when the family went to a neighbor’s home to ask for help. Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue units arrived 8 minutes later to find the single-story dwelling fully involved. All occupants had safely exited the structure.

The home was located well off the roadway and Engine 19 backed down the long driveway. A supply line was stretched to the road so tenders could supply the engine. Firefighter-Paramedics deployed multiple handlines to combat the fire. A blitzfire device was set up in the back of the residence. A second alarm was issued shortly after arrival for additional tenders and personnel.

Crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down within 30 minutes, but were on the scene five hours. The rear of the building was destroyed, with much of the interior being gutted. Most personal items were lost. The home was originally a singlewide mobile home that had been doubled in size and had a roof installed over the original building. This hampered extinguishment due to the multiple walls, ceilings, and double roof. The fire appears to have started in the area of the kitchen in the original structure, which spread to the attic space and into the newer addition. Water supply was handled with a tender shuttle from a pressurized hydrant four blocks from the scene. The Red Cross is assisting the family. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Engine 1, Engine 19, Tender 1, Tender 9, Tender 19, Tender 26, Medic 1, Medic 9, Medic 19, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Scott O’Quinn served as Incident Commander.

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

firefighters battle mobile home fire at night

Harold Buzzell photo

firefighters battle mobile home fire at night

Harold Buzzell photo

mobile home engulfed in flames at night in rural area

Barry W. McRoy photo

E-ONE fire engine at night fire scene

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighters battle mobile home fire at night

Barry W. McRoy photo

firefighters battle mobile home fire at night

Barry W. McRoy photo

2-Alarm fire in Colleton County, SC – May 22, 2015

Posted by firescenesadmin on May 31, 2015
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A passing motorist reported a home burning Friday evening 22-May at 3541 Azalea Patch Road. At 22:15, the first caller to Colleton County (SC) 9-1-1 advised the home was well-involved with flames coming through the roof. Firefighters arrived minutes later to find the ranch-style home approximately 80 percent involved and most of the roof had already collapsed. A large workshop behind the home was being threatened.

First arriving units requested a second alarm and directed Engine 4 to set up a water shuttle operation at a dry hydrant located ½ mile north of the incident. Crews used a deck gun, two 2-1/2” handlines and four 1-3/4” handlines to combat the fire, as well as protect the exposure.

Firefighters had the bulk of the fire knocked down within twenty minutes, but remained on the scene performing overhaul for four hours. The unintentional fire appears to have started in an upstairs room and had been burning for some time before the motorist saw the flames. No one was at home when the fire occurred. Four dogs in the back yard were not injured.

Engine 1, Engine 4, Engine 10, Engine 18, Engine 31, Tender 1, Tender 4, Tender 13, Tender 15, Tender 26, Tender 90, Medic 13, Medic 18, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Car 105 responded. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.

Photos by Harold Buzzell

Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief

rural house engulfed in flames at night

Harold Buzzell photo

firemen battle rural house fire at night

Harold Buzzell photo

fire engines pumping at night fire scene

Harold Buzzell photo

fire engine drafting from a dry hydrant and filling tanker

Harold Buzzell photo

firemen battle rural house fire at night

Harold Buzzell photo

Man burned at house fire in Colleton County, SC – May 27, 2015

Posted by firescenesadmin on May 29, 2015
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, NEW. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

A 43-year-old man was severely injured in a structure fire at 71 Overlook Lane west of Walterboro Wednesday morning 27-May. At 02:27, Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue was notified of the incident with the caller reporting flames were already burning through the roof.

Deputy Chief Greene arrived two minutes later to find a well-involved, single-story, brick veneer structure approximately 45% involved. He began treating the injured man who received second and third degree burns to his hands, and burns to his face. Engine 1 arrived minutes later and deployed a deck gun on the structure, as well as one 2-1/2 inch handline and two 1-3/4 handlines. Engine 26 set up a water shuttle operation from the road and supplied Engine 1 who was parked down a small driveway.

While firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, Firefighter-Paramedics rapidly transported the man to Colleton Medical Center to be stabilized. Due to poor weather conditions near the Georgia border, no medical helicopters could fly to the Burn Center. Fire-Rescue Medic 1 transferred the man emergent from CMC to the Still Burn Center at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta Georgia 1-1/2 hours away.

The fire had already destroyed most of the eastern side of the residence and burned into the attic on the western side. Crews worked for 25 minutes to bring the fire under control. Most of the roof was burned off of the building, but the living area on the western side of the building was saved. The area suffered drop down and water damage, but many personal items were salvageable. The fire appears to have started in the kitchen near the stove. The man was awakened by smoke alarms in the home. He ran to a neighbor’s house to summons help.

Engine 1, Engine 26, Tender 1, Tender 4, Tender 15, Tender 18, Tender 26, Tender 27, Ladder 19, Medic 1, Medic 18, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 105 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Brent Dalton served as Incident Commander.

Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief

rural house engulfed in fire

Barry W. McRoy photo

firemen battle a rural house engulfed in fire

Barry W. McRoy photo

fireman battlesrural house engulfed in fire

Barry W. McRoy photo

firemen battle rural house engulfed in fire

Harold Buzzell photo

aftermath of house fire

Harold Buzzell photo

Firefighter injured battling house fire in Colleton County, SC – March 15, 2015

Posted by firescenesadmin on March 16, 2015
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, NEW. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

One firefighter was injured and a residential dwelling destroyed Sunday morning 15-March. At 01:15, Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue was notified of a reported explosion and house fire at 461 Three Mile Road, north of Walterboro. Engine 19 arrived to the rural dirt road minutes later to find the single-story, wood-frame dwelling fully involved.

It is suspected that the home had been burning for quite some time before anyone discovered the fire, as the entire roof had already burned off of the building. A LP tank was found to be venting behind the structure sending flames 20 feet into the air. It is believed the tank venting was the loud noise which alerted neighbors to the fire.

firemen battle a fire at night

Photo by Harold Buzzell

The driveway to the home was equipped with a narrow metal gate which prevented fire apparatus from accessing the property. Firefighters deployed two 3-inch lines from Engine 19 through the yard to the building, then gated them down to supply two 1-3/4 handlines each. One crew was dedicated to cool the LP tank, while other firefighters battled the blaze.

One nearby exposure was endangered; a detached apartment, carport and utility room was connected by a covered walkway and located about 30 feet from the burning home. A portion of the covered walkway was badly damaged, however firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching the apartment and carport.

firemen battle a fire at night

Photo by Harold Buzzell

While engaged in extinguishing the fire, a portion of the floor near the front of the building collapsed. One firefighter fell through the floor and was inures landing on the floor joists below. He was transported by ambulance (Medic 26) to Colleton Medical Center, where he received treatment for broken ribs and other non-life threatening injuries before being released from the hospital later in the day.

Firefighters remained on the scene for 5-1/2 hours. The large home had been vacant for over a year, but still had power connected. The origin of the fire appeared to be suspicious in nature. Colleton Fire Investigators notified the Sheriff’s Office and the State Police Arson Unit (SLED). SLED agents and other investigators remained on the scene throughout the morning.

Engine 5, Engine 19, Engine 26, Tender 1, Tender 19, Tender 26, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded.

Photos by Harold Buzzell

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

Photo by Harold Buzzell

Photo by Harold Buzzell

firemen battle a fire at night

Photo by Harold Buzzell