Severe storm suspected to be behind 2 Midlands house fires

A severe storm that blew through the Midlands Thursday is suspected of contributing to two separate house fires in the Irmo area that drew firefighting crews from multiple jurisdictions.

The flames engulfed one home and destroyed the garage of another. The infernos broke out in quick succession and came as thunderstorms passed overhead and a tornado watch was implemented in the region, causing Irmo firefighters to call in backup from surrounding counties, Irmo Assistant Chief Sloane Valentino said.

The first call came in at 10:30 a.m. at a home in the 200 block of Townes Road, near Seven Oaks Park. Valentino described it as a “stubborn” fire that is believed to be electrical and that spread throughout the home.

While firefighters were on the scene, a second fire broke out at a home in the 400 block of West Passage near Lake Murray shortly after 11 a.m. Firefighters contained that blaze to an attached garage, although the rest of the home suffered smoke and heat damage.

Due to the simultaneous fires, engines from Columbia, Lexington County and West Columbia also responded to help battle the flames.

No injuries were reported and neither home was occupied at the time, but Valentino said firefighters on Townes Road rescued two dogs, two cats and at least one lizard.

Both fires remained under investigation Thursday.