Trooper dies in Florence County house fire

TIMMONSVILLE — A S.C. Highway Patrol trooper died early Wednesday morning when his rural Timmonsville home was destroyed by fire.

State officials identified the victim as Senior Trooper Andrew Dallas "Andy" McInville, 26.

Photo by John D. Russell/Morning News
S.C. Highway Patrol Senior Trooper Andrew Dallas “Andy” McInville died early Wednesday morning when his Timmonsville home was destroyed by fire.

McInville’s home was located on Country Lane, located between John Paul Jones Road and U.S. 52.

The fire happened about 1 a.m., according to a press release from Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone. Deputies, along with personnel from the Howe Springs and West Florence fire departments and Timmonsville Fire and Rescue Squad, responded to the scene.

McInville later was pronounced dead by Florence County Coroner M.G. “Bubba” Matthews.

McInville’s friend, Rusty Cox, said he first got a telephone call about the trooper’s death, then saw the story on scnow.com.

“... (I) didn’t know how bad it was until I came down here and seen the house,” he said.

Cox said he’ll remember many great things about McInville.

“Just how good of a friend he was and the smile on his face ... about the only thing to do is think of the good times and not about what bad that happened,” he said. “There ain’t no words to say for it ... he had a lot going for him.”

Francis Heath, McInville’s neighbor, said the trooper’s death will leave a large void in the community.

“I’m wanting to cry because we’ve lost a great, great person for this, our immediate area ...,” he said, “and it’s just saddening that something like this kind of tragedy would happen to someone that’s young and just getting started in his life.”

Only one person was at home when the home burned, Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Brett Camp said.

A cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, but investigators don’t suspect foul play, he said.

Investigators from the Florence and Chesterfield county sheriff’s offices think the fire started in the front bedroom of the residence, Boone said in the release.

An autopsy will be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina to determine the cause of McInville’s death.

SCDPS Director Mark Keel said McInville’s “sudden death is a shock to all of us.

“The entire Department of Public Safety mourns the loss of this young trooper,” Keel said in a press release. “We will be reaching out to his family and his fellow troopers and will support them in every way possible.”

McInville was a native of Timmonsville. He was assigned to Troop 1, Kershaw/Lee counties, Post B. He joined the Highway Patrol in 2007 with Basic Class 85. He also was a former member of the Timmonsville Rescue Squad and a former volunteer with the West Florence Fire Department. His brother, Aaron, works for the Florence Police Department.

“This is a very sad day for the Highway Patrol,” Patrol Col. Kenny Lancaster Jr. said in the release. “Senior Trooper McInville was a young trooper who had just been with us for a couple of years. To lose him in such a tragic and unexpected way will be very difficult for his fellow troopers. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with his family at this time.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kershaw/Lee Troopers Association, Post B, 1054 Ehrenclou Road, Camden, SC 29020, according to Layton-Anderson Funeral Home of Florence, which is assisting the family with arrangements.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Palmetto Street Church of God, with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church, located at 3132 W. Palmetto St., Florence.