Fire departments hold smoke detector blitz in Okatie

Local and state fire agencies ran a smoke detector blitz on Feb. 21 in Okatie, installing 238 detectors in 69 homes to improve fire protection.

Jasper County Fire Rescue and several partner agencies organized a Smoke Detector Blitz on Feb. 21 in the Okatie area. The effort focused on the Okatie Park and Midway Village neighborhoods and brought together local and state teams. Participating organizations included Bluffton Township Fire District, South Carolina State Fire, the South Carolina State Fire Marshal's Office, and volunteers from the American Red Cross. Firefighters and volunteers visited homes to provide free smoke detectors and to install them on site at no cost to residents. Event details: - The blitz took place Feb. 21 in the Okatie Park and Midway Village neighborhoods. - Participating organizations included Jasper County Fire Rescue, Bluffton Township Fire District, South Carolina State Fire, the South Carolina State Fire Marshal's Office, and American Red Cross volunteers. - A total of 238 smoke detectors were installed across 69 homes. - Teams went door-to-door in areas identified in partnership with the State Fire Marshal's Office and performed on-the-spot installations at no cost. - Organizers acknowledged local hosts and providers, including Okatie Baptist Church and Dunkin', which supported the teams with space and food. Summary: The blitz delivered new smoke alarms to dozens of households, increasing fire protection in targeted Okatie neighborhoods. Officials noted that working smoke detectors give early warning when seconds matter. Undetermined at this time.