Two volunteer firefighters in rural South Carolina were killed Friday morning, responding to a structure fire as Hurricane Helene rolled through the area.

The firefighters worked for the volunteer-staffed fire service in Saluda County, which sits on the other side of Lexington County from Columbia and has about 19,000 residents. They have been identified as George Chad Satcher, 53, Landon Cale Bodie, 18, both of Leesville.

The S.C. Highway Patrol confirmed that two people were killed when a tree fell on a 2000 Navistar fire truck traveling along Beulah Road in Saluda County at 6:32 a.m. The Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident.

Gov. Henry McMaster confirmed the firefighters’ deaths during a Friday afternoon press conference.

Saluda County said in a news release that the firefighters were based out of the Circle Fire Department, located along its namesake Columbia Highway traffic circle near Lake Murray, about 15 minutes from Batesburg-Leesville and about 17 minutes from the town of Saluda.

The county said two other residents were killed at their residences, one by a fallen tree.

“Our deepest condolences are with their families during this difficult time,” the county said in its news release.

Other local rescue agencies quickly began offering condolences and support.

“Prayers to our brothers and sisters, family and friends in our Fire Service!” the county’s EMS posted to Facebook.

The Columbia Police Department lowered its flag to half mast in remembrance of the fallen firefighters.

Authorities in Saluda County posted multiple times overnight and into the morning cautioning residents about conditions in the area.

The county’s EMS paused service temporarily a little before 9 a.m.

“Please be patient,” the department posted to Facebook. “There are trees down on the roads which is blocking ambulance access to callers. We will get to you as soon as we possibly can.”

The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office encouraged residents to stay indoors.

“Everyone please stay safe and stay home if possible,” the department posted. “There are trees and power lines down county wide. Please only use 911 for emergencies. Keep those working in these conditions in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you to those working EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement and also those working on utilities. Stay safe!”

This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Two SC volunteer firefighters killed as Hurricane Helene rolled across the state."

Jordan Lawrence

The State

Jordan Lawrence serves as metro editor for The State. He has worked for newspapers in the Columbia area for more than a decade, having previously served as the lead editor for Free Times and the Lexington County Chronicle. He has won several South Carolina Press Association Awards, including recognition for breaking news reporting, business reporting and arts and entertainment writing. Support my work with a digital subscription