Leventis home catches fire
Former state senator home at time of blaze, no injuries reported
The house of former South Carolina Senator Phil Leventis caught fire Friday evening during the replacement of an air conditioning unit part in the attic above the three-car garage, according to Sumter Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Ward.
Ward said about 25 firefighters responded to the call that came in at 4:18 p.m. "It was a big fire," he said.
The fire started as workers were soldering brass pipes during the installation process and dust particles and insulation caught fire, he said.
Ward said the fire was mostly contained to the garage and bonus room above the garage but some of the house was damaged. He said neither the workers nor Leventis, who was at the residence at the time of the fire, were injured.
A detailed report of the fire was not available as of late Friday evening.