Sumter sheriff’s office says microwave mistake causes deadly fire on Kolb Road

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office released an update on the fatal fire that occurred on Thursday, May 23, on Kolb Road.

The victim was identified as Thommie Ruth Jackson, 67, of Kolb Road, according to Coroner Robbie Baker.

Deputies with the sheriff's office responded to a Kolb Road residence at about 8:30 p.m. last Thursday. Sumter Fire Department stated initial reports indicated there were no occupants in the home; however, deputies and firefighters arrived to find one person trapped inside. Smoke was seen coming from the home and screams for help were heard coming from inside, according to Mark Bordeaux, public information officer for the sheriff's office.

The sister of Jackson, who also lived in the home, managed to escape and directed deputies to a window where she thought Jackson remained. Firefighters continued to work on the rescue and on extinguishing the fire, Bordeaux said.

Witness statements indicated one of the residents attempted to warm a sandwich in packaging containing foil in the microwave. The sandwich wrapper burst into flames, and attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful.

State Fire Marshal’s Office and Sumter Fire Department determined the fire was accidental and its cause was “placing an aluminum foil wrapper inside the microwave and poor living conditions that hindered the extinguishing of the fire and facilitating its spread,” according to Bordeaux.

Jackson was removed from the home, and Sumter EMS worked to save her life. She was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, where she died. The cause of death is pending autopsy results at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.