No fire hydrants in Wilmington Island neighborhood where fire claimed man's life

Drew Favakeh, Savannah Morning News
·2 min read
A hydrant that is considered out of service by Chatham Fire is buried by a tree, with a big root running under the front hose connection. The hydrant is located in front of a Southbridge home.
A hydrant that is considered out of service by Chatham Fire is buried by a tree, with a big root running under the front hose connection. The hydrant is located in front of a Southbridge home.

At 11 p.m., Oct. 18, Eric Pickett died in a fire that engulfed his Wilmington Island home, 7501 Mayer Ave., after he re-entered the property, according to statements made by his wife in a Chatham County Police Department report. She was able to escape.

When Chatham Emergency Services (Chatham EMS) arrived at the house, smoke and flames were billowing from the roof and windows at both ends of the house, Chuck Kearns, CEO of Chatham EMS, said in an email. The back of the house was also on fire.

"The house is considered a total loss," Kearns wrote.

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Wilmington Island neighborhood has no fire hydrants

The Mayer Avenue neighborhood has no fire hydrants, Kearns confirmed. According to previous reporting by Savannah Morning News, Chatham County has 2,606 total fire hydrants, including 73 which were non-functional as of Sept. 26.

When an area has no fire hydrants, Chatham EMS typically dispatches one or two 3,000-gallon water tenders to shuttle water back and forth from hydrants to the firefighting apparatus, Kearns said.

In this case, three engines, all carrying 1,000 gallons of water, were deployed, according to Kearns. Also on scene was a ladder truck carrying 300 gallons.

At 10:49 p.m., Kearns said, a call was received at the 911 center. At 10:56 p.m., the fire department arrived on scene. At 11:05 p.m., two tenders were requested. At 11:16 p.m., a tender arrived. At the same time, another tender was requested. Between 11:46 and 11:48 p.m., two tenders arrived, said Kearns.

"It is unknown when the fire started and it may never be known," Kearns said. "It is still under investigation."

At 10:55 p.m., Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) officers arrived at the house.

"Residents of the home advised that they were asleep when the fire started," according to the CCPD incident report. "The homeowner also advised that her husband may be trapped inside. She stated he originally got out of the home but went back inside."

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: No fire hydrants near Wilmington Island home destroyed in fire