Gaston/Pelion, SC 11/07/2021 (Paul Kirby) - Firefighters from Lexington County’s Fire Service fought two back-to-back structure fires Saturday night. The first was reported on Straightaway Lane between Gaston and Sharpe’s Hill about 6:15 p.m. The second more serious fire was reported off George Brown Boulevard near Pelion at approximately 6:40 p.m. Both are in proximity to Fish Hatchery Road.
When firefighters arrived at the Straightaway Lane fire, they found some smoke coming from the eaves of a home. Crews began to actively search for the fire so they could extinguish it. As the attack crew was looking to locate the source of the smoke in the ceiling and walls, another team was using tarps to cover the homeowner’s possessions to prevent them from being damaged any further by water and smoke.
Firefighters were on this fire just a short while when the second fire on George Brown Boulevard was dispatched. The commanders at the first scene were able to release many of the trucks and equipment from Straightaway Lane, and they raced down Fish Hatchery Road west. As one of the first units got close to the scene it was reported that you could see flames leaping above the treetops. The first arriving firefighters reported that they had a fully engulfed in fire.
Fire crews found it difficult to access this fire because of the condition of the driveway leading to the burning home. The eventually had to stop their fire engine down the drive and pull a large hose that was then split into smaller handlines they used to fight the fire. An electrical service line had burnt in two prior to their arrival and that energized line was on the ground. Fire officers made sure that everyone on scene knew where that was until a representative from Dominion Energy could arrive and disconnect it.
Because of a lack of fire hydrants in the rural area, water tankers had to be utilized as multiple fire crews poured water on the fire. They were hauling the water from Pelion Road where the closest reliable hydrant was located near the Town of Pelion’s walking track.
It took several hours of work and resources to bring this blaze under control. The home was a total loss. One adult was displaced and is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
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