Hilton Head, January 6, 2026
A heroic stranger intervened during a house fire on Marshland Road in Hilton Head, saving the pets of Blake and Maddie Wearren, local restaurant owners. The fire, which caused total loss of their home, occurred while the family was away. The community has rallied in support, raising over $67,000 to help the Wearrens recover from this devastating event.
Hilton Head
A passing stranger’s heroic actions were captured on security video as they responded to a significant house fire on Marshland Road in Hilton Head on December 21. The home, belonging to local vegetarian restaurant owners Blake and Maddie Wearren, suffered a total loss, but their pets were safely rescued thanks to the stranger’s intervention and the quick response of deputies and a neighbor. The Wearrens, along with their eight-month-old baby, were not at home when the blaze erupted, having been at their restaurant, delisheeyo, earlier that morning to assess damage from a separate incident.
Unidentified Hero’s Swift Response
The critical moments were recorded by a security camera belonging to next-door neighbor Tiffany VanBlaricum. Footage shows a person driving a white Jeep who noticed smoke emanating from the Wearrens’ residence. The individual promptly pulled into the neighborhood, approaching the burning home before reappearing to check on VanBlaricum’s residence, asking if anyone was inside. This unidentified individual subsequently collaborated with deputies and VanBlaricum to rescue the Wearrens’ pets from the back patio.
The incident occurred just hours after a vehicle crashed into the Wearrens’ restaurant, delisheeyo, located on Palmetto Bay Road, on the same day, December 21. The driver involved in the restaurant crash was later arrested and charged with driving under the influence and using a fake identification. Authorities have stated there is no connection between the restaurant incident and the subsequent house fire.
Devastating Loss for Local Business Owners
The fire caused extensive damage, leading fire officials to declare the Marshland Road home a “total loss”. The Wearren family lost nearly all their possessions, including irreplaceable items such as family photos, cherished memorabilia, sports jerseys, and the nursery prepared for their baby. While the fire tragically destroyed their home, the absence of the family and their baby at the time prevented any human injuries. Their three pets—two dogs and a cat—were successfully rescued. The cat managed to escape through a rear sliding door, while deputies, utilizing a ladder left in the backyard, rescued the two dogs from an elevated back porch. The ladder, which Blake Wearren had intended to put away, proved instrumental in the rescue effort.
The fire is suspected to have originated from an electrical issue, with a Christmas tree cited as a possible cause. The Wearren family did not have renter’s insurance, and their landlord also lacked insurance for the home.
Community Rallies in Support
In the wake of these dual misfortunes, the Hilton Head community has demonstrated significant support for Blake and Maddie Wearren. An online fundraiser was established, initially raising over $53,000, and later exceeding $67,000. The fundraising goal has since been increased to $75,000 to further assist the family in their recovery. The Wearrens are currently residing in a short-term rental property provided free of charge, a gesture of community assistance. The family expressed their hope to meet and personally thank the anonymous individual whose timely actions contributed to saving their pets and potentially preventing further disaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in Hilton Head on December 21?
- A house fire occurred on Marshland Road in Hilton Head on December 21, affecting the home of Blake and Maddie Wearren, owners of the vegetarian restaurant delisheeyo.
- Who are Blake and Maddie Wearren?
- Blake and Maddie Wearren are local business owners in Hilton Head, operating a vegetarian restaurant called delisheeyo.
- What role did a stranger play in the Hilton Head house fire?
- A passing stranger saw the smoke from the fire, pulled into the neighborhood, checked on a neighbor’s home, and then helped deputies and a neighbor rescue the Wearrens’ pets from the back patio.
- Was anyone home during the fire?
- No, Blake and Maddie Wearren, along with their eight-month-old baby, were not at their home on Marshland Road when the fire started.
- What was the extent of the damage to the Wearrens’ home?
- The home was declared a “total loss” by fire officials, and the family lost nearly everything they owned, including family photos, memorabilia, sports jerseys, and their baby’s nursery.
- Were any pets rescued from the fire?
- Yes, the Wearrens’ three pets—two dogs and one cat—were rescued. The cat escaped through a rear sliding door, and deputies used a ladder to rescue the two dogs from an elevated back porch.
- What was the suspected cause of the fire?
- The fire is believed to have been electrical in origin, with a Christmas tree cited as a possible cause.
- Did another incident happen to the Wearrens on the same day?
- Yes, earlier on December 21, the Wearrens’ restaurant, delisheeyo, was struck by a vehicle.
- Is there any connection between the restaurant crash and the house fire?
- No, police have ruled there was no connection between the vehicle crash at the restaurant and the house fire.
- How has the community supported the Wearrens?
- The Hilton Head community launched an online fundraiser that has raised over $67,000 for the family, with a goal increased to $75,000. The family is also staying in a short-term rental property provided for free.
Key Details of the Hilton Head House Fire and Community Response
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Fire | December 21 | Local |
| Location of Fire | Marshland Road, Hilton Head | Local |
| Homeowners | Blake and Maddie Wearren | Local |
| Homeowners’ Business | delisheeyo (vegetarian restaurant) | Local |
| Heroic Act | Stranger intervened, helped rescue pets | Local |
| Pets Rescued | Two dogs and one cat | Local |
| Home Damage | Total loss of the residence and possessions | Local |
| Suspected Fire Cause | Electrical, possibly from a Christmas tree | Local |
| Coincidental Incident | Restaurant struck by vehicle on same day | Local |
| Community Support | Online fundraiser raised over $67,000 (goal $75,000) | Local |
| Temporary Accommodation | Staying in a free short-term rental property | Local |
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Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
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.
