<em>Photo above:&nbsp;Firefighters Michael Causey, left, and Connor Hutto were awarded the Medal of Valor recently by the Hampton County Fire District for their efforts in rescuing five people from a collapsed building that had been struck by lightning during an intense ”microburst” during a thunderstorm in Hampton County on June 20. The two men also are volunteer firefighters with the Burton Fire Department. Photo by Bob Sofaly.</em>

Burton firefighter Michael Causey was recently awarded the Medal of Valor by the Hampton Fire Department at a Hampton Town Council meeting for helping rescue five trapped occupants from a building collapse the evening of June 20. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<a href="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Burton-FD_Hampton-Bldg-Collapse_Hampton-FD-Photo_a.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-37458" src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Burton-FD_Hampton-Bldg-Collapse_Hampton-FD-Photo_a-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="315" height="362"></a>Just before 6:30 p.m. on June 20, during severe thunderstorms, the Hampton Fire Department was dispatched to a reported building collapse at the Badcock Furniture on Elms St. with people reported trapped inside. Michael Causey, a career firefighter with the Burton Fire District as well as a volunteer firefighter for his hometown of Hampton, heard the call while at home and immediately reported to the fire station. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Firefighters arrived on scene and found that the roof of the building, along with a side wall, had collapsed. Upon being told five victims were trapped inside a rear bathroom with water rising around them, and with lightning and heavy rain falling, Causey and fellow firefighter Connor Hutto, a Colleton County firefighters who also volunteers in Hampton, forced their way through a front door, entered the weakened structure, and started a search. The firefighters were able to locate all five trapped occupants and lead them to safety, with one occupant having to be carried. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<a href="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Burton-FD_Hampton-Bldg-Collapse_Hampton-FD-Photo_b.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-37461" src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Burton-FD_Hampton-Bldg-Collapse_Hampton-FD-Photo_b-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="431" height="356"></a>Although Causey’s actions took place while operating with another fire department, Burton Fire Chief Harry Rountree felt it appropriate to recognize his achievement as well as Hutto’s. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

“Their actions embody all firefighters to include those here at Burton,” stated Rountree. “After working a 48-hour shift and risking their life at their career department, they go home and volunteer their off-duty time to protect their hometown. That is true selfless sacrifice and dedication to public safety which embodies all firefighters. We are very proud of all of them.” <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Burton Deputy Chief Tom Webb also recently received a Medal of Valor for responding off-duty to rescue two kayakers who overturned in local waterways, and Burton Lieutenant Ethan Webb was recognized for saving a life off-duty by administering CPR. “The men and woman of the fire service don’t simply punch a clock and stop caring at the end of the shift,” Rountree said. “When someone needs help, they act, it’s who they are.”<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>