Fire caused by fireworks destroys Midlands home, hospitalizes disabled resident

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects wanted for their involvement in a house fire caused by fireworks that caused a disabled man to be hospitalized and left him homeless.

Around noon on New Year’s Day, a group of unidentified people in a small black or dark sedan driving on Curtis Drive in Sumter shot fireworks out of the window of their moving vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

The incident caused a house fire to a residence near the intersection of Curtis Drive and Jordan Street, according to the sheriff’s office.

The fire caused significant damage to the residence and the disabled occupant was unable to escape on his own, but was rescued, the sheriff’s office reported. The occupant suffered severe health complications from the fire and smoke and was taken to an area hospital.

Since the home is now uninhabitable, after he was released from the hospital, the man had to be put in a convalescent center, the sheriff’s office said.

The individuals are wanted for questioning in relation to the fire and resulting injury to the occupant.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or click or tap here for the link.

This story was originally published January 11, 2018 at 11:14 AM with the headline "Fire caused by fireworks destroys Midlands home, hospitalizes disabled resident."