Nearly 24 Displaced in West Ashley Fire on Hwy 61, Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC (August 3, 2026) – Nearly two dozen residents were displaced Sunday morning, August 2, after a fire tore through a West Ashley apartment complex, and two residents remain unaccounted for.

The Charleston Fire Department, police, and EMS responded to the Middleton Cove Apartments off Highway 61 shortly after 3 a.m. Officials found flames coming from a two-story building containing 18 units and housing 21 residents.

Responders searched the building and rescued multiple residents before the structure was deemed unsafe, shifting crews to fight the fire from outside. Two residents self-transported for treatment of minor burn injuries.

Fire marshals remained on site to assess the extensive damage, and officials said it could take until later Sunday to determine whether the building was safe to enter. The number of pets affected by the fire has not been confirmed.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The investigation remains active. 

We hope the two unaccounted-for residents are located safely, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating loss.

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Apartment Fire in Charleston, SC?

Liability for an apartment fire usually depends on what caused it, and South Carolina law allows a premises liability claim when a landlord or property manager failed to maintain safe conditions, such as working smoke detectors, functional fire exits, or code-compliant electrical systems. 

Residents displaced by a fire can face significant losses, including damaged or destroyed belongings, temporary housing costs, and lost time from work while sorting out next steps. If victims sustain burn injuries or smoke inhalation, they may also face ongoing medical treatment. 

Under South Carolina law, a landlord generally has a duty to maintain common areas and structural elements of a rental property in reasonably safe condition. A personal injury lawyer can help a residential fire victim determine whether a fire code violation, faulty wiring, or a maintenance failure contributed to the fire, and can help gather evidence such as fire marshal reports and inspection records before they become harder to obtain.

When so many residents are affected at once, coordinating claims across multiple households can become complicated, particularly when documenting property loss and displacement costs. To have a clear understanding of what a landlord may be responsible for can help residents figure out their next steps.

At The Arndt Law Firm, we can help residents affected by a fire understand their legal options under South Carolina law moving forward. We are here to listen to all your doubts and help you better understand your possible legal paths. 

If you or someone you know was hurt in a fire, you can reach The Arndt Law Firm at (843) 310-4645 to talk about what happened with our team.

Note: This post has been prepared using information gathered from publicly available secondary sources. The details of the incident have not been independently verified. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact The Arndt Law Firm so we can promptly review and update the content to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. This content does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute a solicitation for legal services. If you have been injured in an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Any photographs included in this post are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual scene of the accident.