Family of 3 Escapes Home Fire

IRMO, S.C. (WOLO) – The Irmo Fire Department says a family of three is able to escape from their burning home unharmed. The blaze broke out around 1 am Tuesday morning in the 200 block of Chapelwhite Road. Investigators say an elderly man, who was sleeping in a back downstairs bedroom, woke up to flames above his head – on the roof. He was able to get his son from another downstairs bedroom, and the two reportedly got out through a window. Then investigators say they went back into the home to rescue the elderly man’s wife from an upstairs bedroom. We’re told all three eventually made it to safety. The elderly man was taken to the hospital for brief observation and later released. Investigators say it appears a portable heater started the fire. They believe it was too close to some combustable materials. Investigators add the fire destroyed the back downstairs bedroom, and the house sustained heavy smoke damage.