A February house fire on Sullivan’s Island has raised concerns about the local fire department’s response, as newly released 911 calls reveal the chaos during the blaze.
The Fire
The fire occurred on Feb. 7 at a home on Middle Street, destroying the structure but causing no injuries. The first call reporting smoke came in at 4:50 a.m., with firefighters arriving three minutes later.
Crews deployed hoses quickly, though Engine 1201 briefly failed to pump water due to an interlock issue that was resolved within seconds. Mutual aid from Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms helped extinguish the attic fire by approximately 5:12 a.m.
911 Calls and Community Concerns
The 911 recordings capture the panic of the homeowner, who lived a block from the fire station. She repeatedly asked where emergency crews were and expressed distress over losing her belongings, including baby pictures, while attempting to prevent the fire from reaching fuel tanks in the garage.
Next Steps
Fire Chief Anthony Stith supports an external review of the department’s response. Sullivan’s Island Town Council will discuss the potential review in a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.
