Firefighters battle intense flames, broken hydrant at blaze - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

Walthourville firefighters encountered an intense blaze at early Thursday morning, but that wasn't the only problem they faced.

Two adults and a child are without a home after it went up in flames early Thursday morning.

The Walthourville Fire Department arrived just after 4 a.m. to the Kent Road home. Firefighters said that at that time more than half of the older, wooden home was engulfed in flames. The fire was so intense, Walthourville firefighters had to call the Hinesville Fire Department for help.

In addition to battling the intense blaze, a water hydrant two blocks away from the home at the intersection of Kent Road and Shaw Road was not properly working.

"One of the hydrants was broken, but the city has already fixed that so it shouldn't be an issue again. But it was a short issue. There was another hydrant nearby so they were able to get water off of that as well," said Walthourville Interim Fire Chief Scott Jones.

David Hines, a cousin of the family burned out of their home, said he saw the orange flames from his window and heard the dog barking. All of a sudden the barking stopped.

"The dog was a part of their family. It was a poodle. I watched the dog play. I would throw the football to the little buddy and got to know him better and everything. I would have my kids jump on the trampoline with him. It's sad it turned out like this, though," Hines said.

The family made it out of the burning home safely. But all the contents inside were destroyed along with the home. The family's SUV and motorcycle were also destroyed.

The family said the home was one of the oldest on its street and had been in their family since the 1950s.

Jones said the air conditioning unit caused a short in the home's electrical system and that is probably what started the fire.

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