Busy July 4 weekend for Columbia firefighters who battle flames and searing heat

Extended periods of searing hot temperatures and pyrotechnic celebrations are not ideal conditions for preventing fires. But those were some of the realities that faced firefighters across South Carolina over the Fourth of July Holiday weekend.

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In the Midlands, the Columbia Fire Department had a busy day on July 4, which extended into early Sunday morning, as crews battled multiple house fires.

On Saturday morning, firefighters saved a historic home in Columbia, officials said on social media. At about 9:45 a.m., crews responded to a fire at a Park Street home, according to the post.

Crews saw heavy fire coming from the back of the property, officials said. The rear deck was fully involved, with fire extending into the kitchen, up the exterior wall, and into the second floor and attic, according to the post.

Firefighters “quickly stretched attack lines, coordinated ventilation, and performed an aggressive interior fire attack that brought the fire under control in a short amount of time,” officials said in the post.

No one was injured, according to officials.

Damage to the home was mostly confined to the kitchen area and portions of the back bedrooms, with the remainder of the home sustaining primarily smoke damage, according to the post.

The firefighters’ efforts preserved a significant portion of the home, officials said. While the structure was saved, the damage from the fire has left two adults and four kids displaced, according to the post.

“Despite July 4th temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and the increased call volume that comes with a holiday weekend, crews remained focused, worked efficiently and delivered an outstanding performance from arrival through overhaul,” officials said. “This incident is another example of the professionalism and teamwork our members demonstrate every day.”

The fire department continued to laud the efforts of its emergency responders following another fire in northeast Richland County. Crews successfully halted the fire in one home on Westmoreland Road and kept it from spreading through the home next door, officials said in another release shared on social media.

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At about 1:40 a.m. Sunday, firefighters responded to the blaze and found heavy fire working up the exterior of one home and flames lapping at the neighboring property, according to the release. There was an immediate call for a 2nd Alarm to mobilize more resources, officials said.

Firefighters made an interior attack on the fire and kept it from spreading further through the first home, according to the release. Another crew of firefighters pulled back and worked to protect the home next door, officials said.

Crews then went through the neighboring home with a thermal imaging camera to confirm there was no further fire spread, according to the release.

“Thanks to quick decisions by command and efficient work both properties were saved,” officials said. “No matter the hour our firefighters are ready to answer the call and save lives and property.”

All occupants of both homes made it out safely and there were no injuries, according to the release.

However, the home where the fire started is uninhabitable at this time, officials said. Three adults and one child have been displaced, according to the release.

The cause of both of the holiday weekend house fires is under investigation, and there was no word about where either of the fires originated. Officials did not say if foul play, or anything related to July 4 celebrations, was suspected.