Two people and one of their seven pets died in a house fire Aug. 25 in the Edgefield subdivision in Bluffton as severe storms struck the area, officials said.
One of the two people involved in the fire died on scene and the other died after being transported to the hospital, according to Beaufort County Coroner’s Office Chief Deputy Coroner Shane Bowers.
“Mirjana Dizdarevic (71) died on scene at 332 Cold Creek Pass at approximately 5:02 p.m. and Dzevad Dizdarevic (73) died at 5:51 p.m. at Coastal Carolina Hospital following a house fire at their residence in Bluffton,” Bowers said. “Both died from smoke inhalation.”
Bowers said the SC Law Enforcement Division is the investigating agency.
Firefighters arrive on scene
“Bluffton Township Fire District firefighters arrived to find
an active fire with three occupants and several pets inside the home,” Bluffton Township Fire District Public Information Officer Stephen Combs said. “Crews immediately began rescue and fire suppression operations.”
During the fire, Combs said one Bluffton Township firefighter was injured during the response and transported to an area hospital for evaluation. The firefighter was treated and released, he said.
Combs said firefighters initially rescued two occupants from the home and initiated CPR after both experienced sudden cardiac arrests.
Seven pets were inside the home when the fire began, Combs said. One cat died despite resuscitation efforts. Three dogs and three cats were safely evacuated, Combs said.
Severe storms and lightning were a part of a storm which had been moving through the area at the time of the fire, however no official cause for the fire had been determined as of Tuesday morning. Other storm damage was also reported, including a downed tree which damaged a home in the New Riverside area of Bluffton and numerous residents reported fence damage in their yards.
“SLED is investigating the cause of the fire; however, no determinations have been confirmed at this time,” Combs said. “This is the first fatal structure fire in the Bluffton Township Fire District in two years.”
The American Red Cross also responded to help the family.
“The Bluffton Township Fire District extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and neighbors during this painful loss,” Combs said.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Fatal house fire Aug. 25 in Bluffton under investigation
