Photo above: Burton Fire Department was unable to save this home on Kato Lane from a house fire.
The Burton Fire District responded to its second house fire in less than 12 hours on Saturday, Jan. 6, which again displaced a family.
Just past 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, Burton and MCAS Beaufort Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire on Kato Lane in Burton. Firefighters arrived on scene and reported smoke and flames coming from a double wide mobile home.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames in less than 20 minutes but were hampered on scene due to icy condition and water supply in the area. No injuries were reported. Burton FAST Team responded and assisted firefighters with hot drinks and food.
The Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department also assisted at the fire.
Four adults and two children lived at the home and were displaced due to the heavy fire damages. There were no smoke detectors in the home. The resident was alerted to the fire when he saw flames burning up a curtain and was able to get everyone out safely.
Red Cross was called to assist the family. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This was the second destructive house fire in 12 hours for Burton firefighters. Just past 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, Burton and Beaufort/Port Royal firefighters extinguished a house fire on Winsor Road in Shell Point. Two adults were displaced in that fire as well.
“Unfortunately the common theme here is no working smoke detectors,” stated Burton Fire Lieutenant Daniel Byrne. “Luckily everyone was awake when the fire broke out, were able to escape, and we avoided a real tragedy.”
The Burton Fire District and the Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department responded to a third house fire that weekend; however, due to the quick actions of the homeowner and an available fire extinguisher, this time there was no family displacement.
Just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, Burton and Beaufort/Port Royal firefighters responded to a reported house fire on Mink Point Blvd. Firefighters arrived on scene and reported no visible smoke or flames from the exterior of the home, but when they entered the home, they found the home filled with a smoky haze.
Firefighters located the source of the haze in a rear bedroom where minor scorching of the wall and a burned lampshade were found. The resident stated she found the lampshade burning and put the fire out using a home fire extinguisher.
Burton fire officials stress the importance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in every home, and offer free education and training on both. Residents wishing to schedule a presentation for their group, fire extinguisher training, smoke detectors, or a home fire safety survey, may do so by emailing safetyed@burtonfd.org.
