Gaston, (Paul Kirby) – Lexington County firefighters responded to a mobile home fire Sunday in the 2400 block of Sharpe’s Hill Road. This is between the Gaston and Swansea areas of the County. Multiple units were dispatch to the call where water tankers are necessary due to a lack of fire hydrants in proximity of the fire.
Lexington County’s 911 center received the call reporting the fire just before 5:45 p.m. Firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the home when they arrived.
A caller told telecommunicators a man who lived there was going in and out the home gathering things of importance to he and the other residents. He continued as the smoke and flames intensified. He did stop before firefighters arrived but was having difficulty breathing at that point. The first responders provided medical assistance until an ambulance crew from Lexington County EMS got there and took over his care. Another team of firefighters had already entered the home and the fire was quickly brought under control.
The proper utility company was requested, and they sent a crew to disconnect the home’s electricity. The fire, smoke, and water damage to the mobile home displaced its residents. The battalion chief also asked that the American Red Cross be notified so they could provide help to the three people who were living there.
Some firefighters stayed on the scene until the fire was completely out. Others were released to return to their stations. Trucks had been repositioned across that region of the County to ensure full fire coverage. Once stations’ trucks and personnel were prepared to respond again, the stand-by crew at that station returned to their quarters.
The mobile home was damaged to an extent that it appears to be a total loss. A spokesman for Lexington County said later Sunday via social media that an investigation into the fire is ongoing.
