Trash fire found burning while Burton firefighters were busy with something else

A Saturday afternoon fire in the Burton area was found when firefighters were responding to something unrelated.

An unattended pile of trash was found burning behind a Scipio Road home within about 10 feet of the home around 1:30 p.m., according to a Burton Fire District news release. Firefighters smelled the fire from inside the home, extinguished it and installed smoke detectors before they left.

“Plastics and other forms of trash, when burning, create a toxic smoke that may contain carcinogens and other dangerous fumes that can cause significant health hazards,” according to the release.

Buring trash or anything else close to a building is not permitted in Beaufort County ordinances.

Any resident of the Burton Fire District in need of smoke detectors can call 843-255- 8011 or email safetyed@burtonfd.org

This story was originally published July 23, 2017 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Trash fire found burning while Burton firefighters were busy with something else."