Two North Carolina residents were injured, one critically, in a single-car, high speed MVC on I-95 near the 42 mile marker southbound, Tuesday morning 07-February at 03:48. The 1997 Nissan Pathfinder left the highway, drove down the right side embankment, and struck a large tree. The impact caused heavy damage to the small SUV trapping both occupants.
Colleton County (SC) Firefighter-Paramedics from Station # 13 arrived minutes later to find the passenger heavily entrapped with life threatening injuries. A second Fire-Rescue ambulance and rescue unit were requested. Crews used Holmatro rescue tools to extricate the occupants. Hydraulic spreaders, cutters, and two rams were used to remove the passenger side doors and displace the dash off of the patient. A second set of tools were used to remove the driver’s door to free the driver.
Both patients were treated during the extrication and removed with full spinal precautions. The male driver was transported to Colleton Medical Center by Medic 13. Medic 1 transported the adult female and performed advanced airway treatment enroute to the trauma center at Trident Medical in North Charleston. The patient suffered multiple traumatic and internal injuries. Neither patient was wearing a seatbelt. Two canines were also in the vehicle. One remained on the scene and did not appear to be injured. Colleton County Animal Control responded to the scene and took custody of the dog. The second animal fled the scene prior to Fire-Rescue arriving. A search of the area was performed, but the dog was not found. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Engine 1, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 13, Battalion 1, Car 109, and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as Incident Commander.
Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue
An Oakman Branch family was displaced after their home was destroyed in a late afternoon house fire, Friday evening 09-January. At 16:38, a caller reported the back of the home at 11138 Augusta Highway was ablaze. Colleton County (SC) Firefighters arrived to the rural community near I-95 eleven minutes later to find the 4,800 square foot, two-story house fully involved. A second alarm was issued shortly after arrival and a portion of the roof collapsed within two minutes of Engine 26 arriving on the scene. Firefighters used a truck mounted deck gun, deployed a ground monitor, a 2-1/2 handline, and multiple 1-3/4 handlines to combat the fire. A tender shuttle was established for water supply since no fire hydrants were in the area.
A third alarm was issued for additional tenders and personnel approximately ten minutes after arrival. The main structure collapsed nine minutes later. The fire was contained within 35 minutes and was under control approximately an hour later. Firefighters remained on the scene for six hours performing overhaul. Nine of Fire-Rescue’s 3,000-gallon tenders shuttled water for four hours.
The home owner advised he started a fire in the home’s fireplace. It was the first time they had used the fireplace since the home was constructed 15 years prior. Approximately 15 minutes later he saw flames through a window on the rear of the home. Upon investigating he found the back of the house and roof were on fire. He was able to evacuate everyone from the home safely and notify 9-1-1. No one was injured during the incident and the American Red Cross is assisting the family. Off-duty personnel were called in to back fill some stations.
Engine 13, Engine 17, Engine 19, Engine 26, Tender 5, Tender 6, Tender 7, Tender 9, Tender 18, Tender 19, Tender 26, Tender 27, Tender 32, Rescue 1, Medic 18, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 118, Car 105, Car 107 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as incident commander.
Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue
A home and detached garage at 505 Meeting House Lane were destroyed in an afternoon fire Monday 01-December. At 12:53, Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue was notified of a possible electrical fire at this location. Engine 36 arrived 9 minutes later to the rural dirt road and found the one-story, wood-frame dwelling and a detached garage well involved. Firefighters deployed one 2-1/2 handline and two 1-3/4 handlines to combat the fire.
The home contained a large fire load contributing to the intense flames. The fire also spread across the yard approximately 50 feet to a two-story barn, but firefighters were able to stop the flames before they damaged the barn. The home was located near the end of Meeting House Lane on a private dirt section along the Edisto River. The narrow overgrown road presented access problems for fire apparatus. Engine 36 made a 550 feet lay of 3-inch line from the intersection of Pocket Lane down to the residence. Engine 9 supplied Engine 36 from a water shuttle operation. Tenders staged on the paved portion of Meeting House Lane. The home and garage were a complete loss. A van near the house was also damaged.
The homeowner noted that she was operating a pottery kiln at the rear of the residence. A short time later she heard crackling noises and found the rear of the home on fire. The flames quickly spread throughout the residence and to the detached garage. Firefighter-Paramedics were on the scene for four and half hours. The Charleston Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the woman.
Engine 9, Engine 36, Tender 5, Tender 9, Tender 11, Tender 19, Tender 27, Tender 32, Medic 9, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as incident commander.
Photos by Harold Buzzell
Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue
