By Tony Kukulich
Residents of a Beaufort home escaped injury after a lightning strike is believed to have sparked an early-morning fire Friday, May 13.
Deputy Chief Rozz Vezin of the Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department (BPRFD) told The Island News that the fire was reported by the homeowner shortly before 6 a.m. The first units arrived at the home, located on the 100 block of Sunset Court about eight minutes later. Upon arrival, fire crews observed smoke coming from the roof of the three-story residence.
“This fire required a larger response with many of our automatic aid and mutual partners from around the county due to the complexity of the fire and the size of the residence – approximately 5,000 square feet,” Vezin said. “This was a multiple-alarm fire.”
Agencies across northern Beaufort county responded to the incident. In addition to BPRFD, Parris Island Fire Department, Bluffton Township Fire District, Lady’s Island – St. Helena Fire District, the Burton Fire District, the Sheldon Fire District, Beaufort City Police Department, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, and Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services. In total, more than 60 personnel were on scene.
Crews remained on scene for approximately 10 hours, Vezin said.
No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. The home’s two residents were displaced due to the damage to the structure. An estimate of the value of the damage to the home was not available.
While a lightning strike is believed to have caused the fire, the investigation into the fire’s origin is ongoing.
Tony Kukulich is a recent transplant to the Lowcountry. A native of Wilmington, Del., he comes to The Island News from the San Francisco Bay Area where he spent seven years as a reporter and photographer for several publications. He can be reached at tony.theislandnews@gmail.com.
