COLUMBIA, S.C. — Fireworks are the suspected cause of multiple incidents that Columbia emergency crews handled on July 4, displacing multiple people and, in one case, engulfing a home in flames.
Between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., the Columbia-Richland Fire Department responded to 45 fire-related calls, including four attributed to fireworks.
One fire originated in North Columbia, spreading from a neighboring property around 12:15 a.m.
"That's material stuff and it can be replaced but even still, that's my house," said Tiffany Taylor, who narrowly escaped the blaze with her family.
Taylor, preparing for bed after her holiday festivities, recounted when her neighbor alerted her to the fire next door. "He was like, you know the house next door is on fire, so I just grabbed the kids and my mom and ran outside," she said.
Chief Aubrey Jenkins of the Columbia Fire Department said that of the 68 emergency calls over the holiday, 45 were related to fires. He said these included house, apartment, and outdoor fires exacerbated by dry conditions.
"We were pretty busy during that time," Jenkins said. “Just be cognizant of what you're doing, particularly when you're dealing with flames and fire,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Jenkins expressed some relief.
"I almost expected to get more calls so I think one good thing is we got the safety message out in time," he said.
Officials said the damage to the home destroyed by fireworks is estimated at $200,000.
Taylor said she is grateful for her community's support.
"The community came over to check on us, and even my neighbor coming to notify me, he didn't have to get me, he didn't have to knock on the door and he did," she said.
The Taylor family has set up an online fundraiser for anyone wanting to donate.