BEAUFORT, S.C. () — The Burton Fire District responded to its 13th fire in 2025 late Saturday morning after a reported shed fire.

The shed was on Possum Hill Road and is the 13th fire in 18 days. Once fire crews were on the scene, they realized it was not a shed but a dog kennel. No dogs were present. The fire was caused by an unattended outdoor fire.

Even though this fire was relatively small, Burton Fire officials are concerned as the cause of many of the recent fires were the result of outdoor burning.

Three of the recent fires have damaged structures, including one home that resulted in minor injuries to the resident. All of the fires have also threatened neighboring structures and properties.

Since January 1, 2025, the Burton Fire District has also responded to three outdoor trash fires, three unsafe outdoor fires, one brush fire believed to have been caused by an unattended fire in a burn barrel, and one fire caused by fireworks.

“The fires caused by yard burning were not accidental fires,” stated Burton Fire District Captain
and Fire Investigator Lee Levesque. “They were a result of inattention and negligence; outdoor
fires that were either left unattended or fires that were not completely extinguished and later
reignited. All 100% preventable.”