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A South Carolina man's lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter came true, kind of.

Doorbell camera footage captured the moment Chip Googe’s lawn quickly went up in flames on Saturday. Googe said on Facebook the fire sparked after his neighbor’s landscaper hit the concrete with a tool.

He said a spark landed in the dry grass in front of his Summerville, South Carolina home, causing the large flames.

The fire came after the South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide red flag alert, saying wildfire conditions in the state were optimal.

“The combination of wind, low relative humidity and dry fuels is very favorable for wildfire ignitions, so we ask that people who don’t have to burn to hold off until these conditions subside,” Fire Chief Darryl Jones said in a press release.

Watch as flames ignite dry grass in home's front yard

In footage captured on Googe’s Ring camera, the flames grow in a blink of an eye.

“The wind was no joke and spread it fast!” Googe said.

He then grabs a hose to attack the fire, which he eventually puts out. He said there was no damage to the house. In the same post following the incident, Googe joked about finally becoming a firefighter.

“So glad my dreams of becoming a fireman came true!” he said.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Summerville leaders are looking to incorporate a new educational opportunity in the community designed to empower local youth and teens.

The Town of Summerville is moving forward with installing a STEM lab in the Rollins Edwards Community Center.

This is an initiative the Town of Summerville’s Facility Manager Brandon Yeager says he is very passionate about bringing to the community.

“Year after year we have continued to add new and exciting programming. Our attendance continues to grow and we’re trying to reach the community in every way we can, so adding the STEM lab just gives us just another reach into programming that we can offer” Yeager says.

Yeager says the STEM lab would offer hands-on opportunities through various different programs such as robotics, coding, music, along with art, photography, and esports.

Yeager says a lot of their current programming is targeted towards ages 6 to 13. He says while the STEM lab would be available to all age groups, they hope it will target a demographic they don’t usually reach which is ages 13 to 17.

He says not only will the STEM lab help youth learn more digital skills, but also expose them to different career opportunities.

“Technology is a vital part of our lives today and we really want to give access to everyone, but also give an opportunity for just safe instruction, so helping people navigate online interaction,” Yeager says. “It’s helping them discover a new passion for themselves. I believe it’s our responsibility to give as many opportunities to the community that we can.”

He says that a lot of their programs are through third-party contractors, so this would be one of the biggest independent initiatives in the town.

“We feel like the STEM opportunity will give us a chance to reach maybe those hard to reach teens. The teens that don’t normally get out into the community and participate in these events, but when there is esports going on and coding classes and some really cool computer labs going on, we’re hoping we will reach those teens,” Summerville Town Council Member Tiffany Johnson-Wilson says.

The cost for launching the STEM lab is $50,000 which would include 10 computer stations, chairs, and transforming the existing multi-purpose room to function as a computer lab.

The town is currently looking for corporate sponsors to help fund the initiative.

If you’re interested in supporting you can contact byeager@summervillesc.gov or 843-514-7384.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Summerville leaders are looking for the community’s input on what they would like to see happen to one of the largest tracts of land in downtown Summerville.

Plans to redevelop the 5.3 acres on 500 North Main Street have been discussed for years as developers, along with town and county officials, have been trying to figure out the best way to enhance the site while also preserving its history.

The Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber Foundation has opened up a community survey that will be facilitated by a consultant group, asking residents to rank their priorities for the redevelopment plans as leaders and developers move forward.

“We want community input because we want to get this right for future generations. It’s a very important part of Summerville. It’s the gateway into our town and we want to make sure we get it right,” President and CEO of the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce Rita Berry says.

The current zoning of the property is downtown-mixed use, which permits housing, retail, office space, and lodging.

However, the building on site, currently the county services building, used to be a hospital which community members have expressed wanting to see preserved. There is also a Veterans memorial honoring branches of the military and public service, including name-dedicated bricks, that sits in front of the building.

County officials say this project is an opportunity to expand the downtown Summerville experience from Hutchinson Square up to 500 North Main.

“The idea of putting something on this site that generates tax revenue that supports the county, that supports the town, is important for the long term vision. This is not a short-term, we’re going to do this and walk away and everything is going to be great,” Dorchester County Chairman David Chinnis says.

Chinnis says plans so far do include a park and keeping the county office building on site. He says there is also discussion about possible affordable housing.

“That is one of the things that we’ve told the developer we need. That needs to be in here,” Chinnis says.

Chinnis says that keeping the center portico of the old hospital is a top goal, but that with it sitting in the middle of the site it does make things more difficult.

“Quite frankly, it would be much simpler if we weren’t trying to conserve that central building. You clear the site off and you develop it the way it looks, the way some people say, well, I want it to look like this, I want it to look like that. That being in the center of the lot makes it challenging because now everything is being built around the outside edges,” Chinnis says.

Chinnis says ultimately the town has the final approval on what happens to the site.

The deadline for Summerville’s Board of Architectural Review to approve any plans has been extended to June 30.

The deadline for community members to fill out the survey is April 4. You can find the link here.

Leaders from the Chamber Foundation say that all responses are confidential. The survey does ask for name and address to make sure the responses are coming from constituent communities.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Summerville restaurant staple is closing its doors after more than eight decades of serving Southern hospitality.

Eva’s on Main opened in 1944 and Wednesday was their last day open. The owner and customers reflected on the bittersweet end to a long-standing favorite in the community.

The Southern food restaurant has a long history starting in 1944 with Eva Hensen.

“We felt that it was important to carry on that legacy,” Eva’s Restaurant owner Whitney Easler said.

The current owners have been running Eva’s for six years.

“We’ve had a number of longtime customers that have dined with us from back in the day when they were young, and they remember Eva snapping peas in the kitchen,” Easler said.

General manager Tina Howard has been serving friendly faces here for a decade.

“Customers are family to me. We have customers that eat here twice a day,” Howard said.

“This was our home away from home. We came here to feel like we were still back in Delaware. We love the food and the people that work here,” long-time customer Bonnie Booth said.

Owner Whitney Easler said those Southern roots that customer loves are what make it special.

“Making everybody feel like they’re eating at grandma‘s house and we’ve come to know so many of our customers by name. They know who we are and we know who they are. It’s like an old home when you dine at Eva’s,” Easler said.

While it’s a tough last call for many, the final dishes were served Wednesday with no regrets.

“It’s hard to let go, but we’re ready to retire and spend more time with family,” Easler said.

“It’s bittersweet, it’s a part of history gone but now it’s time for change,” Howard said.

Howard said much of the staff will still be working here, for the longtime customers who may want to stop by and visit. But they’ll have to change their taste, as an Italian deli is moving in. Howard said they’re expected to open their doors in three to four weeks.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.