Council Member York Glover, Fire Chief Bruce Kline, and representatives from Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority held a public meeting Wednesday, May 18, at St. Helena Elementary School to discuss fire safety and issues with fire hydrants.

"First and foremost, my prayers go to the community member who lost his house to fire," said Glover. "Chief Kline and I will work hard to ensure BJWSA follows through with a good hydrant maintenance plan and attempt to secure funding for upgrades to the water lines on the Island."

Lady's Island-St. Helena Fire District was called to a fire earlier this month where the nearest fire hydrant failed. The fire crews continued to engage the fire while others ran hose to the next hydrant. It was determined that an internal coupling had failed.

"We will never know if this contributed to the challenges of putting out this particular fire," said Chief Kline. "I know my firefighters gave everything they had to try to save that house."

BJWSA uses a third-party contractor to inspect and flush fire hydrants on St. Helena. 

Lady's Island-St. Helena Firefighter Anthony Roberts, Public Education Coordinator, also informed residents of the importance of checking smoke detectors and offered free checks and installation.

"We installed approximately 200 smoke detectors last year, said Roberts. "Smoke alarms save lives and alert citizens to fire, saving critical seconds needed to fight fires."