A deadly house fire in Goose Creek that killed Danial Skinner in May 2025 has been officially closed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), with no one found at fault and the cause of the fire listed as undetermined.
What happened
- The fire broke out in a home on Kathryn Drive in Goose Creek around 12:08 a.m. on May 27, 2025; the Goose Creek Rural Fire Department arrived about 13 minutes later and found Skinner inside, later pronounced dead.
- Because of the fatality, SLED’s Arson Investigations Unit was brought in at 2:24 a.m. to investigate alongside the local fire department.
SLED’s findings
- The SLED agent examined the kitchen, where the fire started, and noted the stove did not appear to be in use; there was a piece of plywood on top of the heating elements and a dark, thick liquid around it, but the investigation could not confirm exactly how the fire began.
- The report also describes interviews with neighbors and family, including a neighbor who said they heard Skinner calling for help but could not reach him, and Skinner’s brother characterizing him as someone who used many electronics.
Aftermath and responses
- SLED concluded it could not rule out all possible ignition sources in the kitchen, so the cause was classified as undetermined rather than accidental or criminal.
- The City of Goose Creek said it had no additional comment, and both the city’s fire department and the Goose Creek Rural Fire Department have not publicly responded to follow‑up questions about the incident or the Live 5 investigation into their response and internal communications.
