Three injured in fire in Irmo
David Travis Bland and Noah Feit, The State (Columbia, SC)
(MCT)
December 23 – a mother threw her two young children out of a third-floor window at the people below before jumping to escape her burning apartment in Irmo, according to firefighters.
The Irmo Fire Department responded to the fire at River Oaks Apartments near block 5300 on the Bush River Road at around 1 pm, according to fire chief Brian Haley. The apartments are close to the Bush River Memorial Gardens and about a mile from St. Andrews Road.
At least six fire trucks and 30 firefighters arrived to help the victims and fight the fire, said fire chief Mike Sonefeld, who was at the scene.
Paramedics took the two children, one month old and one year old, to the hospital. They were in good condition, said Sonefeld. The mother, seriously injured after the escape, was also taken to a hospital. Others had to be rescued from the burning building as well, but no one else was injured, according to Sonefeld.
The fire destroyed most of the eight units in the apartments when firefighters were called, said Sonefeld. At around 3 pm, firefighters controlled the fire, but it was still burning in confined areas. Firefighters were soaking the confined areas to prevent any outbreak this evening, Haley said.
In all, more than 35 people have been displaced, including children and their parents, according to Haley and the South Carolina Red Cross. The Red Cross will help find housing and food for them.
“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this afternoon’s big fire, especially two days before Christmas. The South Carolina Red Cross remains committed to helping them recover from this COVID19 pandemic, ”said Rebecca Jordan, executive director of the group’s Central Chapter. “We will continue to fulfill the Red Cross mission while keeping our team and those we serve safe.”
No firefighters were injured, said Sonefeld.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Lexington County Fire Department and the Columbia Fire Department helped fight the fire and rescue tenants.
___
(c) 2020 The State (Columbia, SC)
Visit The State (Columbia, SC) at www.thestate.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.