Fire destroys Barfield Street home
On Friday evening, August 19, firefighters battled a blaze at a three-story home at 1125 Barfield Street. The home is owned by John and Laurie Smalley of Dayton, Ohio. No one was living in the home at the time of the fire. Neighbors said that the home is sometimes occupied by renters but that no one was renting the home at the time of the fire.
Witnesses observed that firefighters arrived at the home shortly before 6 p.m. Deputy Chief Mark Davis held a short press conference at the scene at approximately 6:45 p.m. and said that the fire was under control. Firefighters remained on site for several hours – with the Fire Department providing an update via social media stating that at 8:13 p.m. firefighters were still at the home putting out hot spots. No citizens were injured during the fire. A North Charleston firefighter was treated at the scene by paramedics for a minor medical issue.
Units from Charleston and from N. Charleston Fire Departments responded to and were battling the fire.
Deniz Evin, a neighbor living across the street from the Smalley home, said that shortly after he arrived home from work on Friday afternoon his whole house lit up from a lightning bolt and that the smoke detectors in his home started going off. About 25 minutes later he saw smoke coming from the attic and gushing out the vent of his neighbor’s home. He immediately called 911 and said firefighters arrived on the scene pretty quickly after his call.
Deputy Chief Mark Davis gave a statement at the scene at approximated 6:45 p.m., explaining that firefighters had already been dispatched for another lightning strike when they saw the smoke in the sky above the area of the fire. A Charleston Fire Department Facebook post noted, “Multiple calls were received in the area following a storm and reported lightning strikes. Fire crews were investigating an adjacent area following a reported odor of smoke when they observed the fire on Barfield Street.”
The fire broke out during violent weather with numerous lightning strikes being reported. Rob Fowler of Channel 2 Storm Tracker said via social media that 272 lightning strikes were recorded over Daniel Island shortly before the fire broke out on Barfield Street.
After completing an investigation on August 22, the Fire Department addressed the cause via social media, “Fire Investigators worked into the evening and the following day to review the scene. Interviews confirmed significant lightning activity around the area and significant lightning strikes several minutes prior to the fire. Investigators gained access to the structure the following day and reviewed fire damage to the building. The fire originated within a wall cavity and spread into the attic space. The home was unoccupied and the fire burned unchecked until smoke and fire were visible from the roof. The cause of the fire is likely related to the lightning strike that occurred in close proximity to the home.”
Neighbor Bill Powers said that the house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Powers, who lives across the street from the Smalley home said, “The heat on our front porch was unbelievable.” A video of the fire recorded by Powers can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7gy13ul7Ew&feature=em-upload_owner and a shortened version is available on the Daniel Island News Facebook page.
Ervin said that firefighters arrived on the scene and went right in the front door to battle the blaze. Powers’ video depicts the fire well underway as well as hoses running into the home and water being dumped from above by a firetruck not visible in the video. The Charleston Fire Department confirmed that the roof area/attic was well engulfed in fire upon the arrival of firefighters.
During the course of battling the fire, firefighters rested on neighboring lawns and porches. A crowd of residents watched as the blaze was brought under control. Several neighbors provided water and ice cold rags for the fireman.
One fireman was assisted from the burning home by fellow firefighters and received treatment on a neighboring porch.
Chief Fire Marshall Michael A. Julazadeh emphasized the following via email: “The importance of smoke alarms in the home to alert occupants, when home, of the fire incident; always call 911 if you see or smell something unusual in the area; be sure to keep your neighbors informed (if you plan to travel, etc.) and leave contact information in the event of an emergency.”
On Saturday, the day after the blaze, young Elena and Lauren Evin and Avery Warren, who live across the street from the damaged home, set up a lemonade stand for three and a half hours to support the firefighters that helped protect them the night before. They raised $137 and donated 100% to the firefighters.