7 house fires reported in 10 days in Sumter, Lee area

Thirty-four people have reportedly been displaced from their homes after seven house fires caused nearly $420,000 in damage in 10 days in Sumter and Lee counties. Two cases of minor injuries were reported, and a pet was killed in these fires, but families have started the recovery process with the help of American Red Cross, which was called to each scene.

Sumter County, Feb. 3

The call came in at 9:39 a.m., and firefighters arrived on scene at 9:45 a.m. to see light smoke showing from the single-wide mobile home on Congress Street in Mayesville.

Firefighters discovered the fire was in the walls of the 900-square-foot structure and had the flames under control by 9:53 a.m., according to a report from Sumter Fire Department.

Approximately $1,500 of the $3,500 structure was lost while none of the contents, valued at $5,000, were reportedly damaged.

Investigators have determined the fire was caused by a "failure of equipment or heat source" related to arcing inside a wall, states the report.

American Red Cross reported three adults and one child are being assisted. No injuries were reported.

Sumter County, Feb. 4

Firefighters were alerted about the house fire on S.C. 261 South in Pinewood at 2:13 p.m. and arrived on scene at 2:21 p.m.

An investigation indicates the fire started on a mattress in a rear bedroom of the 1,844-square-foot single-family house, according to a report from Sumter Fire Department.

Approximately $10,000 of the $60,000 house was lost, and about $25,000 of the estimated $30,000 of contents was saved.

Firefighters "quickly knocked down and extinguished" the blaze about 19 minutes after arriving and removing the mattress from the residence. During the process of putting out the fire, the ceiling of the bedroom was pulled in to check for flames in the attic.

Two adults and seven children are receiving assistance from American Red Cross, according to a release from the organization, but no injuries were reported.

Lee County, Feb. 6

Homeowners involved in a house fire on Corbett Mill Road in Camden lost a pet when their mobile home caught fire last week.

Lee County firefighters responded to a mobile home fire on Corbett Mill Road at 11:46 a.m. and saw smoke coming from the front of the house when they arrived.

While putting out the fire, responders were informed of a small dog that was still inside. EMS attempted to revive the dog without success, states a report from the Lee County Fire Department.

The structure and contents were considered a total loss of $9,000 for the house and $15,000 in contents.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 2:23 p.m.

The cause of the fire was determined to be unintentional, according to the report.

American Red Cross was called to assist two adults and one child at the residence.

Lee County, Feb. 11

A wood stove is thought to be the cause of a fire at a residence on Broad Acres Road in Bishopville where approximately $20,000 in damage was caused.

Fire had broken through the roof of the house when firefighters arrived, according to a report from Lee County Fire Department. The call came in at 11:30 a.m.

Firefighters used a chainsaw to gain access to the fire through the roof, and the blaze was under control by 12:38 p.m.

Prior to the fire, the structure was valued at $60,000. Total contents were valued at $20,000, but about $10,000 in contents were lost.

Fire investigators think the fire was caused by a wood stove that was being used overnight.

Three adults are being assisted by American Red Cross.

Sumter County, Feb. 11

One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries while working to extinguish a fire on Britton Brogdon Road on Monday.

Fire crews responded to an alarm at 12:09 p.m. and arrived on scene at 12:18 p.m. to see the one-story house 75 percent involved.

The house - valued at $150,000 and containing about $60,000 in contents - was considered a total loss after fire crews got the flames under control by 1:21 p.m.

According to a report from Sumter Fire Department, the cause of the fire and area of origin are undetermined.

One firefighter was burned on the front of both of his shoulders while working to extinguish the flames that took over the 1,400-square-foot house, said battalion chief Joey Duggan.

The firefighter was most likely burned as he leaned against some bricks of the structure, he said.

Duggan said the firefighter was later taken to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital and is expected to return to work this week after a few days of rest.

Six adults and two children were assisted by American Red Cross.

Sumter County, Feb. 12

A resident sustained minor injuries during a fire that was reported at 8:52 a.m. Tuesday morning at a house on Haynsworth in the historic district.

Duggan said the resident had minor burns to the head and face but refused medical care. No other injuries were reported.

Another resident was not home at the time of the fire, according to a report.

After receiving the alarm, firefighters arrived at 8:56 a.m. and had the fire under control by 9:19 a.m.

Smoke and flames were showing from the front of the house when firefighters got on scene. The flames were confined to the living room, states the release.

An estimated $75,000 worth of damage was caused to the 1,800-square-foot house valued at $125,000. Approximately $30,000 worth of contents of an estimated $50,000 were saved.

American Red Cross is assisting the two adult occupants.

Sumter County, Feb. 12

Approximately $10,000 of a $50,000 house was saved after a fire destroyed most of the structure on East Charlotte Avenue.

The call came in at 11:33 p.m., and firefighters arrived on scene at 11:38 p.m.

The house was about 25 percent involved when responders arrived, and fire was showing from the living room at the front left corner of the structure. Flames had also extended into the attic of the 1,000-square-foot house, states a report from Sumter Fire Department.

After an investigation, the cause of the fire was ruled undetermined.

The $2,500 worth of contents are considered a total loss. No injuries were reported.

American Red Cross was called to assist two adults and three children.