By Laura Oberle
The Island Packet
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The Yemassee fire station and Town Hall were saved from a fire in November because of the quick actions of an off-duty EMS worker, Fire Chief Paul Holmes said Tuesday.
Two former volunteer firefighters -- Christopher Williams, 22, and Dominique Thompson, 21 -- allegedly set fire to the station at about 11:30 p.m. Nov. 18, trapping another volunteer firefighter who was in the station’s office, Holmes said.
Brad Welch, an EMS worker who lives in a mobile home behind Town Hall, ran to the station when he saw the smoke, started one of the fire trucks and was able to put out the fire, Holmes said.
“The Town Hall and fire station were saved,” Holmes said. “If he had not responded as fast as he did, the whole Town Hall would probably have been in flames, and we’d have lost firetrucks and ambulances (parked at the station).”
The trapped firefighter escaped unharmed, Holmes said.
The fire damaged one of the station’s doors and walls, Holmes said. It also caused minor damage to one firetruck, which is still operable, Holmes said.
Williams and Thompson were identified on the fire station’s surveillance camera and charged hours after allegedly setting the fire, Holmes said.
During an interrogation, one of the two men said they both poured gasoline around the fire station door at about 11 p.m. and lit it because they were “feuding” with the volunteer firefighter who was inside, Yemassee police Capt. Greg Alexander said.
©2014 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.)