Two Saluda County, SC firefighters killed

Editor’s Note: Blackshear, Georgia, Deputy Fire Chief Leon Davis also died Friday when a tree fell on his vehicle.

Two volunteer firefighters in rural South Carolina died Friday morning while responding to a 911 call as Hurricane Helene rolled through the area.

The firefighters worked for the volunteer fire department in Saluda County, which is on the other side of Lexington County from Columbia and has about 19,000 residents. The firefighters were not identified and no explanation was given as to how they were killed.

Gov. Henry McMaster confirmed the firefighters’ deaths during a news conference Friday afternoon, saying they were two of four deaths confirmed in the state.

Officials said all four deaths were confirmed to be traffic-related.

County authorities warned residents several times overnight and into the morning about the conditions in the area.

The district’s emergency services temporarily suspended services shortly before 9 a.m

“Please be patient,” the department posted on Facebook. “There are trees on the roads that are blocking access for emergency services. We will get back to you as soon as possible.”

The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to stay indoors.

“Please stay healthy everyone and stay home if possible,” the department wrote. “There are trees and power lines all over the county. Please use 911 for emergencies only. Keep those working in these conditions in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you to those who work in emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement and also the utilities industry. Stay safe!”

©2024 The State. Visit thestate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.