Authorities: Children playing with fireworks ignite Johns Island barn

JOHNS ISLAND — Children playing with fireworks ignited a fire that destroyed an old barn Tuesday night, authorities said.

St. Johns firefighters were dispatched to the area of River and Exchange Landing roads about 6:45 p.m. after receiving a call about smoke in the area. As they were responding they were told the smoke was from a structure fire, Capt. James Ghi said.

The barn was engulfed when the first engine arrived. More units from St. Johns, Charleston and James Island arrived and contained the blaze within a few minutes.

Charleston County sheriff’s deputies told firefighters the blaze was caused by children playing with fireworks nearby, a fact confirmed by one of the parents on the scene, Ghi said.

No one was injured. Authorities released the children to their parents.

Ghi said it’s not known what type of fireworks were used but it’s important that children use them carefully, in a safe setting with adult supervision.

“I feel the main point here is that the fire was started by fireworks being used improperly,” Ghi said. “This could have been a devastating incident if it would have involved an occupied structure.”