Sheriff’s office seeks help ID’ing vandals
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office investigators are looking into a series of vehicle vandalisms that occurred on March 18-19 on Lady’s Island.
Thirteen vehicles were reported to have been struck by golf balls in four Lady’s Island communities: Pleasant Point Plantation, Marsh Hawk Plantation, Telfair Subdivision and Brickyard Point Road.
Damages to individual vehicles varied, but are estimated to be in the thousands of dollars collectively.
It is believed the subjects may be local to Lady’s Island based on information obtained up to this point in the investigation.
Investigators are asking for help in identifying those responsible for the vandalisms.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sgt. Brandon Disbrow at 843-255-3407 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CrimeSC to remain anonymous and for a possible reward.
Crews battle 2 fires endangering structures
Burton firefighters responded to two brush fires endangering structures recently.
The first brush fire was in the vicinity of Delany Circle off Stuart Point Road in Burton. Fire crews arrived to an approximately 10-acre brush fire that was spreading and endangering homes.
It took three Burton fire engines and over 1,000 gallons of water, with assistance from the MCAS Beaufort fire department along with South Carolina Forestry, to contain the fire.
Fire crews were on scene for over an hour and a half working to contain the spreading flames.
The fire is under investigation. No injuries or damages to structures were reported.
The second brush fire endangering nearby homes was on Big John Road in Burton. Firefighters arrived to a slow-moving brush fire involving less than a quarter of an acre.
Two Burton fire engines extinguished the fire. No injuries or damages to structures were reported. The fire is under investigation.
The Burton Fire District has responded to 14 brush fires so far in 2017 and Burton fire officials are reminding residents to check their local burn ordinances. Failure to follow the ordinance can result in fines and other legal action.
Fire causes damages; car accident injures 1
The Burton Fire District was busy on March 23 responding to 13 emergency calls, including a house fire and a motor vehicle accident that resulted in injuries.
Just past 8 p.m. on March 23, Burton firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident on Joe Frazier Road. Fire crews arrived to a two-vehicle accident with light to moderate damages to both vehicles and with one vehicle in the middle of the road.
A female driver was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.
Traffic on Joe Frazier Road was slowed for over 30 minutes while firefighters assisted the injured driver and removed roadway hazards.
Meanwhile, firefighters were dispatched to a house fire on Mink Point Boulevard just past 9:30 p.m.
Firefighters arrived and found smoke coming from an attached garage. They were able to extinguish the fire, which was located in a utility closet where the water heater was located and protected the fire from spreading to the home.
Damages were confined to the garage, and while the residents relocated for the evening they were expected to be able to return by March 24. The home had a properly working smoke detector as well as a monitored alarm system.
No injuries were reported. The city of Beaufort also responded to assist as well as Beaufort County EMS.
Burton fire officials stress the importance of working smoke detectors and ensuring utility closets containing water heaters are clear of combustibles.
The Burton Fire District has responded to 15 building fires so far in 2017 including a fire at a Shanklin Road mobile home park involving the death of a female resident on March 6.
Gas pump struck, fuel leak contained
The Burton Fire District responded to a fuel leak resulting from a gas pump being struck by a vehicle on March 24.
Just before 9:30 p.m. the Burton Fire District responded to a fuel leak resulting from a vehicle striking a fuel pump at the Oxford BP gas station at 780 Parris Island Gateway. Burton fire crews arrived to find gas free flowing from a damaged fuel pump.
Firefighters were able to secure the leak and contain the spill. The Parris Island Fire Department Hazardous Materials unit also responded to assist as did Beaufort County EMS. Emergency crews were on scene for over an hour and a half.
Burton fire officials stress to fuel station managers to review emergency procedures with employees and to stock appropriate spill supplies on site.
The vehicle that struck the fuel pump had left the scene.
2 graduate from academy; one receives top honors
The Burton Fire District had two new firefighters graduate from the fire academy recently, with one of the graduates receiving top honors.
Burton firefighters Andrew Gatlin and Charles Wilson, both Marine Corps veterans, graduated from the grueling 10-week fire academy course that was conducted at the Bluffton Township Fire District’s new training facility in Bluffton.
Graduating candidates are trained to national firefighting standards including hazardous materials response and fire prevention topics.
Burton Firefighter Charles Wilson received awards for having the highest graduating grade point average and was also selected by his fellow classmates to receive the Brotherhood Award.
The Brotherhood Award is awarded to the student determined by his classmates as exemplifying the greatest teamwork and leadership qualities.
This is the third fire academy class held at the new Bluffton training facility. Previously new recruits would have to attend the course at the fire academy located in Columbia, which could be costly financially and time wise as new hires would have to wait for classes in Columbia to start.
By having such a training facility locally it allows area fire departments to efficiently and cost effectively train new firefighters and quickly have them serving their communities.
