Family loses everything in blaze

DORCHESTER -- One spark Tuesday morning took everything from Brooke Duncan and her three children.

Their home and everything inside -- clothes, furniture and Christmas presents -- were destroyed by a fire that started just hours after they finished moving in.

"Everything is gone," a teary Duncan said. "Everything."

Dorchester Volunteer Fire Chief John Poole said the mobile home at 353 Limestone Road was engulfed when firefighters arrived about 9:45 a.m. He said the fire started somewhere in the kitchen and appears to be accidental.

Duncan said the mobile home represented a new beginning for her and her children. In the past year, she lost her job and was evicted from her home. She and her two daughters, ages 7 and 1, and her 3-year-old son had been staying with family until she finally saved up enough money to rent the mobile home, she said.

Duncan had the power turned on at the mobile home Tuesday morning. Duncan said she was inside a neighbor's home when a teenager pounded on their front door, yelling about a fire.

"I ran out and realized it was my trailer," she said.

Duncan ran inside to save what she could, but the smoke and flames forced her out.

"I came out and fell to my knees and started crying because it was all gone," she said.

The Lowcountry Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping the family.

Poole said the Harleyville and Ridgeville fire departments helped put out the fire, which is under investigation.

Reach Andy Paras at aparas@postandcourier.com or 937-5589.