From staff reports
An early morning fire Tuesday, Aug. 9, in Shell Point resulted in injuries and left a family homeless.
Just before 2 a.m. today, emergency crews from the Burton Fire District and Parris Island Fire Department, along with Beaufort County EMS and the Beaufort County Sherriff’s Office, responded to a reported house fire on L.H. Nelson Drive.
Burton fire crews from the Shell Point fire station arrived on scene and reported smoke coming from a double wide mobile home. All occupants had evacuated.
Fire crews were able to confine the fire and fire damage to a rear bedroom; however, the residence suffered smoke damage throughout. Fire crews remained on scene for three hours completing extinguishment and assisting the residents.
The fire was discovered after an occupant woke to flames in his bedroom. He attempted to extinguish the fire before alerting and evacuating his elderly parents. It is unknown if the residence had properly functioning smoke alarms.
One resident suffered minor burns, and another sustained minor injuries as they escaped the home. Both were treated on scene and did not require or request transport to the hospital. Red Cross was notified and is assisting the family.
The fire is still under investigation, but is believed to have been started by a candle in the bedroom.
The elderly residents did not have homeowner’s insurance, and Burton firefighters are asking anyone in the community who can assist this family, including contractors, plumbers, and electricians, to contact the Burton Fire District at 843-255-8011 or email safetyed@burtonfd.org. Burton residents needing smoke alarms, or would like theirs checked, are encouraged to do the same.
