Unattended incense causes mobile home fire in Bluffton

BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - Crews with the Bluffton Township Fire District responded to a house fire Tuesday afternoon on Simmonsville Road.

According to a press release, the fire started at a single-wide mobile home on Simmonsville Road near Mustang Drive.

Crews were dispatched to the call at 2:03 p.m. Tuesday and arrived on scene minutes later to find smoke and fire coming from the mobile home.

One resident was in the home at the time of the fire and was able to escape unharmed.

Crews got the flames under control in minutes, but the home sustained significant damage and has been deemed a total loss aside from the outer shell. Simmonsville Road was closed for about 90 minutes while crews fought the flames.

Investigators determined the fire was accidentally caused by unattended incense left burning in a room.

The Bluffton Township Fire District is reminding residents that open flames — including candles, cigarettes and incense — should never be left unattended, as burning items can ignite nearby materials.

Fire crews are also emphasizing the importance of having working smoke alarms and regularly testing alarms once a month.