2 hospitalized after small plane crashes into Sumter swamp

Two people have survived after a small plane crashed Saturday in a swampy area of South Carolina. The Sumter Fire Department, sheriff’s office and emergency services division responded to a location between Highway 15 and Highway 401 in Sumter. Fire Department Division Chief Joey Duggan said a twin-engine Piper PA-31 went down around 10 a.m. The two people on board were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries, Duggan said. No other information was immediately available on their condition. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, news outlets reported.
WYFF-TV NBC 4 Greenville

Fire damages apartment complex in Aiken

Eight apartments in the Viera Aiken complex were damaged at sunrise Sunday morning in a fire that had the Aiken Department of Public Safety in high gear at 2403 Roses Run, starting at about 6:30 a.m. No injuries were reported, and the four units in the front of the two-story building sustained the most damage, according to a report from the department. Two cats were reported missing from the affected part of the complex, which is near South Aiken High School and was formerly known as Churchill Commons. Capt. Maryann Burgess, who was among the department's responders, said someone reported "heavy smoke rolling" from a balcony on the ground floor. "Upon arrival, they confirmed that there was heavy smoke and fire...It quickly extended to the second story." She said one occupant was checked for "minor, smoke-related issues" and also noted that all of the building's occupants were removed because all eight units were compromised.
Aiken Standard - Metered Site

No injuries reported in North Charleston mobile home fire

Firefighters are working to determine the cause of a fire early Monday morning in North Charleston. Firefighters responded at around 4 a.m. to a structure fire on Piedmont Avenue, according to North Charleston Deputy Chief Stephanie Julazadeh. She said firefighters found a mobile home well involved in fire when they arrived on the scene. They were able to put out the fire from the exterior, she said. No injuries were reported.
WCSC-TV CBS 5 Charleston

Search for missing swimmer along Myrtle Beach suspended due to unsafe water conditions, Fire Marshal says

As Tropical Storm Isaias approaches the Carolina coast, Myrtle Beach Deputy Fire Marshal Jonathan Evans said the search for a missing swimmer may not have a resolution for a while. Horry County FD confirmed Sunday night they were assisting Myrtle Beach FD in the search for someone who possibly went missing in the water. On Monday morning, Evans said the search was called off late Sunday due to unsafe conditions and the Coast Guard was called in to help. "So far no one has been found and the Myrtle Beach Police Department is working to try and identify the potential victim that might have gone under," Evans said. "With the storm coming in it has made search efforts very difficult and unsafe for our swimmers to get in the water safely so we may not have resolution on this matter for a while. "
WHNS-TV Fox 21 Greenville

Several people transported to hospital following a 3-vehicle crash with entrapment in Horry County

VIDEO: Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR) posted to social media Saturday that 4 people were transported to the hospital with injuries following a 3-vehicle crash with entrapment. HCFR was dispatched at 4:18 p.m. to the area of Palmetto Pointe Boulevard and Harbour Reef Drive. South Carolina Highway Patrol was on the scene and is investigating.
WBTW-TV CBS 13 Florence

Two firefighters suffer minor injuries, 45 people displaced after fire at Horry County campground

VIDEO: A massive fire broke out at Ocean Lakes Family Campground early Friday morning. Crews were dispatched to the blaze around 4:45 a.m., according to Horry County Fire Rescue. Officials said 10 units were damaged, with three to four completely destroyed. In addition, about six cars and six golf carts also sustained damage. According to officials, the fire displaced 45 people. A post on Ocean Lakes Campground’s social media pages stated two firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. No injuries were reported among guests or residents, according to Ocean Lakes staff. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Ocean Lakes Family Campground is located at 6001 S. Kings Highway. “Our top priority has been assisting the guests that were displaced by the fire with their immediate needs and trying to comfort the families as best we can. Most of the families impacted were on vacation,” the Ocean Lakes social media post stated.
WMBF-TV NBC 32 Myrtle Beach

Lexington County Fire Service adding new battalion chief position to help improve safety and supervision on emergency scenes

The Lexington County Fire Service is currently in the process of adding a new battalion chief to their staff on each of their three shifts. Battalion chiefs are the highest-ranking fire officers stationed in the field daily that regularly respond to emergencies. The LCFS does have other senior officers, most of whom are stationed on Ballpark Road at headquarters. These officers respond in certain situations and capacities if extra assistance is needed at an emergency. They also take turns being on-call and initiate certain management actions if the battalion chiefs are tied up on emergencies. Their daily duties normally include managing everything from fire prevention to logistics. The county has been operating with two battalion chiefs per shift in the past. One covered what’s known as the North Region of the county and the other the South Region.
Lexington Ledger

Charleston, Dorchester County municipalities prepare for potential storms, face challenges with COVID-19

Shannon Scaff is all too familiar with hurricane season. But hurricane season amid a pandemic? Not so much. Scaff is the City of Charleston Emergency Management Director. He admits this hurricane season is not a normal one. "The coronavirus has obviously added a very unique set of circumstances this year," said Scaff. That's why he created a Hurricane Task Force. The task force has already secured 90,000 face masks and a significant amount of hand sanitizer for emergency personnel and the city of Charleston. "I am very confident we have the city in about as good a place as we can possibly be," said Scaff. The city's first responders will be required to wear face masks at all times, but will break social distancing guidelines if needed. The Emergency Operations Center has put measures in place to limit the number of decision makers in one area.
WCIV-TV ABC 4 Charleston

2-vehicle collision, entrapment in Conway sends 1 person to the hospital

Crews with Horry County Fire Rescue responded to a two-vehicle collision with entrapment Thursday evening. According to HCFR, at 12:09 p.m. crews were sent to the area of Highway 544 and West Cox Ferry Road in Conway. Following extrication, one person was transported to the hospital with injuries, and two other people signed medical waivers, HCFR said. Conway Fire Department and the South Carolina Highway patrol were on the scene.
WBTW-TV CBS 13 Florence

Firefighters extinguish James Island fire

The St. John’s Fire Department says they put out a house fire on James Island early Thursday morning. Firefighters say the responded to a possible structure fire at 12:20 a.m. Thursday. When they arrived, firefighters say they found heavy fire on the side of the home and extending upwards into the structure. No injuries were reported by the fire department, and the St. John Fire Marshall Division says they will be investigating the incident.
WCSC-TV CBS 5 Charleston