Mansion's attic, roof damaged by blaze

One of the High Battery's most recognizable mansions caught fire early Saturday morning, damaging its roof, attic and parts of the second floor.

The 1896 classical-style home at 17 East Battery survived the fire without any major structural damage, and there were no injuries reported.

"Our guys did a terrific job," said Mark Ruppel, public information officer for the Charleston Fire Department. "There was some damage on the second floor. It could have been a lot worse."

It appears the fire started in an elevator shaft in the back of the house, then burned through the roof and into the attic. No one was home at the time, officials said.

Lori Kesten, a neighbor, saw a wall of flames shooting 10 to 15 feet in the air at one point.

"There's a little damage in the back, kind of where the fire started," Kesten said.

The firetrucks reached the scene just after 2 a.m., bringing in pumpers and ladder trucks to beat down the fire. They had to break through a door to get in.

By Saturday afternoon, the house was quiet, a faint aroma of smoke in the air. The only signs of damage were a board over the door and the blackened elevator shaft.

The house, known in some circles as the Mevers Mansion, looks out over the harbor and sits just a few doors away from the Edmondston-Alston House, a popular tourist destination. It, too, has been opened to public tours in the past.

The privately-owned home is best known as one of two pink houses on High Battery, although it recently has been painted a darker shade. The home appears on a number of Charleston postcards and calendars.

Although the fire still is under investigation, Ruppel said it may have been caused by a lightning strike.

Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com.