From staff reports
The Burton Fire District, Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department, Parris Island and MCAS Fire Departments, Beaufort County EMS and Sheriff’s Office responded to a fully engulfed home late last night in which several animals were rescued, while others were found deceased.
Just past 10:30 p.m. Monday, July 3, Burton firefighters were dispatched to a report of a house fire at 3675 Trask Parkway after Beaufort County Dispatch received several 911 calls, with some callers stating they could hear both animals and people screaming from inside the home.
At the time of the call the Burton Fire District had four fire units already working at two scenes; a fire alarm activation at a local business and a critical medical emergency. Burton fire officials requested assistance from the Beaufort/Port Royal, Parris Island, and MCAS Fire Departments who responded to the scene.
Burton fire crews arrived on scene and reported a single-family home fully engulfed in flames. Due to a faulty fire hydrant, firefighters had to utilize a fire hydrant across Trask Parkway shutting the Parkway down.
Despite sparking powerlines, firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and were able to rescue several animals, although some perished in the fire. Several searches of the home were made and no human remains could be found.
The resident, who was not home at the time and only stays there periodically, stated there should be no one inside the home. It is believed the reports of people screaming from inside the home was actually coming from a pig in a nearby pen who was uninjured. Firefighters were to search the remains of the home once more in the morning when there was more light.
No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by Burton fire investigators and the Beaufort County Sherriff’s Office.
Trask Parkway by the Parris Island Gateway intersection remained closed until fire crews completely extinguish the smoldering embers and remaining fire in the basement area.
