Swift and decisive actions taken by Columbia-Richland firefighters on Monday June 29 resulted in three children being rescued from a burning home on Floran Street.
Crews arrived shortly before 9:30 p.m. to find smoke showing from the home. Firefighters forced entry through the front door and immediately encountered heavy smoke and rapidly deteriorating interior conditions. The fire was located in the front of the home.
Rescue 1 began searching the structure alongside Engine 1 and Ladder 7. During the search, firefighters located three children in and near several bedrooms. They were brought outside, provided immediate medical care for severe burn injuries, and transferred to Richland County EMS for transport to a local hospital. From there they were taken to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta for further treatment. Thankfully they were released from the hospital in early July.
While the rescues were underway, the fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished. No adults were found in or around the property at the time of the fire.
The Columbia Police Department investigated circumstances surrounding the incident and have charged the mother of the children and one of their fathers with three counts of unlawful conduct towards a child.
They were arraigned in court on July 1 and are currently awaiting trial.
