Family downstairs escapes safely as fire rages on home's 2nd floor

A fire ravaged the upper floor of a two-story residence at 710 Rutledge Avenue on Monday as a family ate dinner unaware downstairs. Everyone inside the home got out safely, Charleston Fire Department Public Information Officer Mark Ruppel said.

Ruppel said fire damages were contained primarily to the second story of the home but that the residence was unlivable after the fire. The family was being helped by the Red Cross.

He said three adults having dinner on the first floor at 6:44 p.m. did not realize a blaze was burning above them. But neighbors saw the fire and reported it. So did another family member who pulled into the driveway before help arrived and got everyone out of the house.

The second floor was fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived.

'They did a terrific job knocking the fire down quickly,' and no adjacent properties were damaged, Ruppel said. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation but that arson is not suspected.

Ruppel said a firefighter tripped and fell while inside the home, prompting a 'firefighter down' alert. But the firefighter, who was not injured picked himself up and continued fighting the fire.

A St. Andrews Fire Department truck joined Charleston vehicles at the scene, Ruppel said.

Reach Edward C. Fennell at efennell@postandcourier.com or 937-5560.