HARTSVILLE, SC (WBTW) – The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office says a 1-year-old child died early Monday morning after being pulled from a home that was on fire.
Lt. Robert Kilgo with the sheriff’s office says deputies were called to a home in the 700 block of Railroad Avenue in Hartsville around midnight Monday morning for a house fire. The Hartsville Fire Department, as well as the Darlington County Fire District, responded to the call.
Fire crews pulled a 1-year-old child from the home, says Lt. Kilgo, and the toddler was taken to the hospital and later died.
Hartsville Fire Chief Jeff Burr says when the fire department arrived on scene at 12:07 a.m., the child was the only person in the house. Before the fire crews arrived, six people were at the house.
News13’s Kiahnna Patterson spoke with two family members and friends who say they want answers.
“It’s sad and it hurts. For a child… I know she’s [the child’s mom] hurt, she’s got to be. The whole family… I know I’m hurting,” said Jack Hickmon, family friend, and neighbor.
Todd Hardy the Darlington County Coroner identified the child’s body, but the child’s mom asked not to release the name.
Sheriff’s office investigators, Hartsville Fire and SLED are investigating the cause of the fire.