From staff reports
The Burton Fire District, Beaufort County EMS and Sheriff’s Office, and the Parris Island Fire Department responded to a house fire on Broad River Blvd., on Friday afternoon, Dec. 9, in which five dogs were rescued and a family was displaced.
Just after 1 p.m., emergency crews responded to a reported house fire on Broad River Blvd., and arrived on scene to find heavy smoke coming from the home. The family, who had escaped, informed firefighters there were animals still inside the home.
Firefighters made entry into the home under extremely hot and smokey conditions and located a heavy volume of fire in a rear room. While firefighters attacked the flames, another team of firefighters entered to search the home for the animals and any potential victims.
In all, five dogs were removed, two of which were unconscious and were revived on the front lawn by firefighters and Beaufort County EMS personnel who carry medical equipment for animals on the ambulance.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in less than 15 minutes, and fully extinguished in less than 45 minutes. While the fire was confined to the rear of the home, the home still sustained heavy heat and smoke damages, displacing the family. The Red Cross was notified to assist.
No human injuries were reported, and all animals were transported to a local veterinary office by the family for further medical treatment.
The fire is under investigation, and Broad River Blvd. was closed for over two hours while emergency crews worked.
