News Summary
A recent fire incident in Beaufort County has resulted in a tragic fatality and considerable property damage. The camper fire on Huspah Drive was caused by an overloaded extension cord, leading to the death of a northern Beaufort County resident. Additionally, two separate brush fires ignited by yard debris on Thursday prompted responses from the Burton Fire District. Local officials are urging residents to exercise caution with fire activities due to the heightened risk posed by wind conditions.
Beaufort County Fire Incidents Result in Fatalities and Property Damage
A tragic fire incident in Beaufort County this past Sunday resulted in a fatality and significant property damage.
Camper Fire Incident
- Location: Huspah Drive near U.S. 17 (Trask Parkway)
- Time Reported: 6:40 a.m.
- Fatality: An unidentified male resident of northern Beaufort County
- Fire Status: Fully engulfed; extinguished approximately 45 minutes later
- Investigation Findings: Overloaded extension cord was the suspected cause
- Damage: Camper deemed a total loss; body discovered in the wreckage
- Nearby Structure: An adjacent house was on the same property
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, overloaded extension cords are responsible for thousands of house fires each year. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office had not identified the deceased individual.
Brush Fire Incidents
In separate events, the Burton Fire District responded to two brush fires on Thursday, both caused by yard debris fires.
- First Fire: Occurred just after 12:30 p.m. on Bruce K. Smalls Drive
- Damage: A shed and motorcycle inside were destroyed; small fire on a neighboring home’s roof contained
- Cause: Resident’s burning trash reignited
- Second Fire: Reported at 2:00 p.m. on Kato Lane, quickly spreading across two yards
- Threat: Both homes were endangered; minor damage to one home’s porch
- Cause: Burning yard debris improperly mixed with cardboard and wind spread embers
- Fire District Response: Responded to 24 brush, trash, or unsafe fires resulting in damage this season
Beaufort County officials urge residents to exercise caution during fire activities, especially with windy conditions and the potential for embers to ignite nearby properties.
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Additional Resources
- WITN: Brush Fire Consumes Uninhabited House
- Island Packet: Local Crime News
- WTOC: Northbound Lanes Closed Due to Fire
- MSN: Brush Fire in Beaufort County
- Live 5 News: Yard Debris Fires in Beaufort County
- Wikipedia: Fire Safety
- Google Search: Beaufort County fire incidents
- Google Scholar: Fire Incident Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
- Google News: Beaufort County Fires
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
