Fire, Destroys 6 Homes, 12 Damaged in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS)

Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins says a man was trying to cook some barbeque at the apartments on Elder's Pond Circle, and ended up leaving himself and neighbors homeless.

"Someone was grilling in the back of the apartments next to it. The wind was so high it actually kicked the grill over and set straw on fire," says Jenkins.

After that, things happened fast.

"He tried to put it out, but to no avail. It spread quickly because of the wind. Once it started spreading, it set the apartments on fire," Jenkins told WIS News 10.

About sixty firefighters were called to the scene for a job one man tried to do himself.

The Red Cross says three of the apartments which suffered smoke damage were in a different building as the one in which the fire started. About $535,000 in total damage was caused.

Jenkins says the man whose actions led to the fire will not be charged.

Red Cross workers were on scene offering support, giving food and clothes to the families who lived in the six destroyed apartments.

Workers say aid comes in the form of a money card which families can spend on necessities. The money generally lasts about three days, according to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross is also offering mental health services to people affected by the fire.

If you want to donate money to help the people affected by the fire, you can call the Red Cross at 803-540-1225 or send a check to PO Box 91, Columbia, SC, 29202.