Updated 4:15 p.m.
Two people died in a mobile home fire in Hallsboro early this morning.
A neighbor who is a volunteer firefighter called the fire in via radio before attempting to enter the burning home by himself, Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackmon said.
Blackmon said two residents of the home, a 72 year old male and a 22 year old female, were inside. The victims have since been identified as Madison Brooke “Maddie” Whaley and her grandfather, Barry Vaughn. Firefighters were still on the scene of the fire at 56 Pierce Cemetery Road after noon.
The single wide trailer in Barefoot’s Mobile Home Park was engulfed when firefighters arrived. Firefighters were dispatched around 6:30 a.m. Friday.
The county fire marshal, State Bureau of Investigation, and BATF are investigating the blaze. Hallsboro was assisted by Whiteville, White Marsh Welches Creek, Lake Waccamaw, Old Dock Cypress Creek, and other departments, as well as EMS and law enforcement.
Blackmon said a Hallsboro firefighter who lives next door was awakened by someone pounding open his door just before 6:30 a.m. A woman identified as his neighbor was asking for help. The firefighter saw flames coming out of the home, Blackmon said. The woman said two other people were still inside the home.
“He used his radio to call for help while putting on his turnout gear,” Blackmon said.
The firefighter tried to gain entry through the back door of the structure, Blackmon said, but was driven back by the flames. Hallsboro VFD arrived at 6:41 a.m., and the firefighter from next door and two others made entry with a hose. The fire was knocked down by 7 a.m., Blackmon said.
