The City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department responded to a structure fire in a duplex at the Marsh Point Apartments at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1 in Beaufort and discovered a body.

The first arriving unit arrived on scene in 3 minutes, 31 seconds and reported that heavy smoke was coming from the roof of the structure. While fire crews were extinguishing the fire and performing a search and rescue of the residence, they found a deceased adult female.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control, extinguishing it in approximately 5 minutes. Fire crews were able to prevent the spread of any fire or smoke to the adjacent residence.

The City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department called the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to assist with the fire investigation. A total of 24 firefighters were on scene of the incident. Firefighters stayed on scene to assist SLED.

Battalion 1, Engine Company 1, Ladder Company 2, Engine Company 3, Engine Company 4, Squad 4, MCAS Ladder Company 88, Car 1, Car 2, Car 3, Car 4, Car 5, Beaufort County EMS, City of Beaufort Police Department, SLED, and the coroner all responded to the incident.