Beaufort/Port Royal firefighters share message for HQ vandal: Want a free smoke alarm?
After a break-in at their headquarters early Thursday morning, officials at the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department are using the incident to spread the word about free smoke alarm installations.
“If you thought it was a good idea to break into our firehouse early this morning at approximately 5:23 a.m., please give us a call at 843-525-7055 and tell us your address so we can come install FREE smoke alarms in your house,” the department wrote Thursday morning on Facebook, sharing photos of the garage door panel the perpetrator removed to gain access to the station on Ribaut Road.
Nothing in the firehouse appeared to be damaged or missing, according to Deputy Chief of Administration Ross Vezin, but the department’s viral post encouraged about 10 residents to reach out about its free smoke alarm services.
“We’re thankful for all the support from the community,” Vezin said. He urged any other residents without functioning smoke alarms to contact the department for help — especially in the winter months, when house fires spike due to increased use of heating equipment and other factors.
As of Friday morning, it was unclear if any arrests had been made in connection with the break-in. A spokesperson from the Beaufort Police Department did not immediately respond to a message left with questions.
This story was originally published February 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM.
