Eight families lose their homes in an apartment building fire this afternoon

Irmo, SC (Diana Nation) - Irmo Fire District along with Lexington County Fire Service, Columbia Fire Department, and West Columbia Fire Department, all responded to an apartment building fire Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at approximately 1:40 p.m. in the 5300 block of Bush River Road.

Upon arrival, firefighters began rescuing six people from the second and third stories of the apartment complex. As firefighters began this rescue a mother dropped her two small children from a third-floor apartment into the arms of awaiting bystanders. The mother then jumped from the apartment herself suffering a leg injury in the process. At this time, this is the only known injury of anyone in the building.

Eight apartments were damaged by the fire and these families have been displaced. The Red Cross is assisting the families.

As of 4:00 p.m., the fire has been extinguished and the scene is under control. Units are still on scene attempting to locate any hot spots that may still exist. The cause of the fire is under investigation.