Beaufort Co. woman recovers in hospital after house fire; Investigators believe space heater is linked to the cause

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - An elderly woman is recovering in the hospital after her home caught fire in Beaufort County.

Two people were in the home when it happened, and luckily, both were able to escape.

WTOC has the latest on the case and what investigators believed caused it.

Investigators say they are still looking into the mobile home fire from last Thursday morning in Grays Hill, but believe that a space heater caused it.

Now, they’re trying to figure out if it malfunctioned, was plugged into an extension cord, or was too close to something that could catch fire.

“The home was under renovation, and we do believe there were some paint cans and paint thinners in the area as well, so we’re looking at that as a cause,” Burton Assistant Fire Chief Dan Byrne said.

The fire quickly spread throughout the home in Beaufort County.

It happened at home, just a few doors down from the nearest fire station.

Inside were two people, an elderly woman and a man.

Both were taken to the hospital.

The woman’s family says she’s still recovering from smoke inhalation as well as cuts and bruises she got after being pulled through the window.

“We really hope she and her family are doing well, and if we could be of any further assistance, we are ready to do that,” Burton Assistant Fire Chief Dan Byrne said.

Everything inside the home was burnt to a crisp, except for the bed the woman slept on.

When she was pulled from the window, the family tells us that she saw a bright beam of light enter her home.

Officials say the home also didn’t have a working smoke alarm.

It’s a reminder for everyone to make sure yours is working as we near the Christmas holiday.

“Make sure you have a smoke alarm in your home that is less than 10 years old and properly placed. Any fire department will be willing to help you with that.”

Both the victims in the fire are receiving separate help from the American Red Cross.

And following her release from the hospital, the family says that the woman will stay with her oldest daughter.