Homeowner William Sanders and his surviving dog Molly. | Photo: Barbara Ball
WINNSBORO – A historic Winnsboro home built in the 1800’s
was destroyed in an early morning fire in downtown Winnsboro on Monday, Oct 29.
The home, located at 225 S. Congress Street, is owned by William Sanders, 72,
who said he has lived in the home for 19 years.
One of Mr. Sanders’ two dogs, an 11-year-old Pit Bull, was
found dead in his igloo dog house on the front porch. A smaller dog survived
the fire by crawling under a bed in an upstairs bedroom.
Sanders said no one was at the home except the dogs at the
time of the fire.
An incident report stated that the fire, which was reported
at 5 a.m., started on the front porch and spread to the second floor and attic
of the two-story home. It was contained by 8 a.m., the report stated. There is
no information on how the fire stated.
Fire department officials said the home, which Sanders said
was built in 1842, is a total loss.
Bunting, left and Peak with the rescued cat. | Photos: James Sims
WINNSBORO – An evening phone call from a concerned CVS customer about hearing a cat down the parking lot storm drain turned into a four-hour, multi-department rescue effort. Fairfield County fireman Jay Joyner lowered the truck’s ladder into the storm drain for Trip Peak, Town of Winnsboro Director of Gas, Water and Sewer, and Mikey Bunting, Gas, Water and Sewer Foreman. The two crawled approximately 150 feet through the storm drains before locating the trapped kitten, which is now at the Fairfield County Animal Shelter awaiting adoption.
WINNSBORO – There was good news and bad news about the 20 grass fires that burned 100 acres along Highway 315 S. in Jenkinsville last week.
Pope pointed out the need for more firefighters at County Council meeting on Monday.
The good news: “Thanks to the quick actions of our volunteer firefighters, there were no injuries and no structures damaged. Our emergency units did amazing work,” Fairfield County Fire Director Jason Pope reported to County Council on Monday evening. He also reported that the fires, first thought to have been arson, were determined by the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department to most likely have been set accidentally, possibly by sparks from a chain being dragged behind a vehicle.
The bad news: “If the fire had happened during the week, instead of 2:15 on Saturday afternoon, we might have had a different outcome,” Pope said.
“We have 120 volunteer firefighters in Fairfield County,” Pope said, “but we need twice that many.”
Pope recently drew attention to the need for more volunteer firefighters in the County. He agreed to donate a check for $300 (contributed by the County’s fire chiefs) to the County’s recreation department if the department’s new director, Russell Price, would agree to be lifted in a ladder truck bucket to the top of the clock tower. Price agreed, and Greenbrier Fire Chief Sammy Castles, standing on a ledge above the clock’s face, greeted Price with the check, a handshake and a firefighter’s helmet that Price wore on the ride down.
“I’m trying whatever I can to get the word out that we desperately need volunteer firefighters,” Pope said.
According to the County’s incentive pay rates, volunteer firefighters receive $25 per call. Non-firefighters receive $10 per call. Other incentives include $5 for attending approved firefighter meetings, $15 for attending approved training classes and $15 for responding to wrecks with injuries. Maximum compensation for the month is $250 .
For information about becoming a volunteer firefighter, call 803-712-1070.
WINNSBORO – Multiple brush fires were reported Saturday afternoon in the Jenkinsville area along Highways 215 and 213. Fairfield County Fire Chief Jason Pope said the fires, which were first reported a little after 2 p.m., consumed about 125 acres.
Thirty emergency personnel were on scene as well as 11 fire and emergency units including multiple fire engines, tankers and brush trucks, an EMS unit, the rescue squad, a rehab unit, an airplane, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Winnsboro Department of Public Safety. Support was also requested from the Forestry Commission, and emergency units responded from Newberry County, Pope said.
The fire was controlled at about 5:30 p.m.
“No one was injured and, thanks to the quick actions of our volunteer firefighters, no homes or structures were damaged,” Pope said. “The forestry units have contained the fires, but they burned through the night and into Sunday.”
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the cause of the fire.
