Burton family’s home saved, thanks to fast-acting first responders

A Burton family made it safely outside after a fire began beneath their mobile home around 1 a.m. on Thursday.

Initial reports indicated an elderly man might have been trapped inside the Staffwood Road home, according to a Burton Fire District news release.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was the first to arrive on scene and one of the residents said she believed everyone had gotten out, including her 87-year-old parents, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. Two deputies entered the home to double check that everyone was out safely; both were uninjured.

Because the deputies made sure everyone was out, firefighters were able to immediately turn their attention to the spreading fire when they arrived, according to the release. They were able to keep the flames from getting into the home and the family was able to go back inside after firefighters helped to clear the smoke from the home.

The woman who spoke with deputies said she was asleep in her room when she heard a loud boom, according to the report. No signs of suspicious activity were found.

“Most fatal fires occur after 11 p.m. and it’s the smoke, with as little as 1 percent carbon monoxide, which kills people,” firefighter Nick D’Angelo said. “So knowing an elderly disabled man could still be inside that home with all that smoke really had us concerned. We’re thankful the deputy confirmed he was out and OK so we could focus on putting out the fire, and in the end we saved the home.”

No injuries were reported and the fire is under investigation.

This story was originally published July 13, 2017 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Burton family’s home saved, thanks to fast-acting first responders."