Fire whips across Paris Mountain, damages homes

Monday, January 20, 2003

Paul Alongi, John Boyanoski and Michael Buchanan
STAFF WRITERS

A fire on the western slope of Paris Mountain burned at least two houses and kept dozens of residents from their homes Monday as huge plumes of smoke rose from burning brush and timber.

About 100 Upstate firefighters worked to contain the blaze that consumed up to 50 acres, authorities said, and crews were expected to work through the night.  "I guarantee you that fire was screaming up the mountain," said Alan Alexander, spokesman for the South Carolina Forestry Commission. "It was in somebody's lap before anyone knew it."

 

Completely dousing the blaze, which was strung out along 2 miles of mountain ridges, could take two days, he said. The report of the fire came in about 2:10 p.m. Duncan Fire Chief Stephen Terry said the blaze started when the wind swept away a debris fire just off N. Parker Road.  "He walked in the house for just a minute," Terry said of the man attending the fire. "When he walked back out, it got away from him."

 

Terry said he will meet with the forestry commission today to decide whether the man should be charged. Alexander said the fire started at the base of the western slope and was pushed quickly up the mountain by the 25 mph winds blowing out of the southwest. The low humidity also caused the flames to spread quickly over the dry brush. Alexander said the two factors were a recipe for a disaster.

 

Wind and the bulldozers' difficulty trying clear debris on the steep slope made the firefighting all the more difficult, he said.

 

All of Altamont Road was evacuated to make room for the fire trucks and other equiment, Terry said. Residents were allowed to return to their homes by late Monday, he said.  The fire encompassed an area from N. Parker Road to Altamont Road to Laurel Ridge Road to Davidson Road, Terry said.  An emergency response team representing all 27 of the county's fire districts helped fight the fire, he said. No injuries were reported.

 

A helicopter from the Greenville County Sheriff's Office pulled water from Furman University's lake, then dumped it on the flames. Police blocked the roads to the top of the mountain, as parking lots became gathering points for residents who wondered whether their families, homes and pets were safe.  Some residents decided to stay with their homes, although firefighters asked them to leave.

 

Ray Ballew, who lives on Altamont Road, said flames licked at the edge of his property. The smoke became so thick he couldn't see his neighbor's house, he said.  While the immediate threat was over by 8 p.m., he said he wasn't going to let his guard down. "There are hot spots all down below us," Ballew said. "I'm going to set up tonight. I found some leaves burning out beside my house a couple of hours ago, and I've got to be on the lookout for things like that."  Crews planned to spend the night blasting water on brush and using bulldozers to keep the blaze at bay until firefighters can go in this morning and fight the fire on foot, Alexander said.

 

Alexander said nearby houses would be safe throughout the evening.  "There's plenty of water up there," Alexander said. "The houses are well protected."

 

The St. James Episcopal Church on Piney Mountain Road opened its doors to residents who could not return to their homes. Beth Dombek, the wife of pastor Timothy Dombek, said the building has a kitchen, showers and a grocery store nearby. "I'm glad we're able to help our neighbors who are in need right now," Dombek said.

 

Several residents learned about the fire on their way home from work. They tried to turn onto Altamont Road, only to find Greenville County Sheriff's deputies had it blocked off.

Lynn Martin paced and tried to reach her daughter, Laura, by cell phone. Laura was still in the house, gathering photo albums and the family's two dogs and two cats, Martin said.

"She'll get down here, but I just wish it was sooner," she said.