From staff reports
Two people were injured, and a family displaced, in a Burton house fire Monday morning.
Just past 10:30 a.m., the Burton Fire District and Beaufort County EMS responded to a reported house fire on Still Shadow Drive in Burton after a neighbor saw smoke coming from a single-story home. Burton fire crews arrived on scene and reported fire was coming through the roof.
Firefighters were able to enter the home and quickly brought the fire, which was located in the kitchen, under control. However, because the fire spread through the roof and insulation, firefighters continued to search for, and extinguish, smoldering embers for two hours.
A male occupant, who was asleep at the time, woke when he felt “the heat of the fire,” and suffered minor injuries escaping through a window. It is believed that there were no working smoke alarms in the home.
A firefighter also suffered minor injuries and was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
The fire is still under investigation, but is believed to have been caused by an equipment or electrical malfunction. The family of three was displaced. Red Cross was notified and is assisting the family. MCAS Fire Department also responded to the scene.
Smoke detectors
an imperative
The Burton Fire District has responded to 10 house fires in 2021. One re-occurring issue firefighters are finding in many of these fires is the lack of working smoke alarms in the home.
Burton fire officials state that not only do smoke alarms alert you to get out of the home, but also help limit damages by alerting occupants to the fire earlier, allowing them to call 911 immediately. They enable a quicker fire department response and extinguishment.
Residents in Burton who need smoke alarms, require assistance, or have questions concerning their smoke alarms, can call the Burton Fire District headquarters station at 843-255-8011.
