Halloween decoration gone too far? House-on-fire display went viral — and sparked a wave of 911 calls
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“It’s bad practice to not send a truck and, ethically, I can’t take that liability. If we get a call, we’re sending a truck, no matter what.”
A South Carolina couple’s fiery Halloween display has gone viral — and sparked a wave of 911 calls from neighbours convinced their home was on fire, according to the New York Post.
Fountain Inn’s “House on Fire”
Sam Lee, the former mayor of Fountain Inn, and his partner Amanda Riggins Peden have become local legends for their elaborate Halloween decorations. This year, their suburban home — about 20 miles outside Greenville — appears to be engulfed in flames, with orange lights flickering in every window and thick smoke pouring from beneath the porch.
The illusion was so convincing that on the very first night of the display, October 3, the Fountain Inn Fire Department received three to four emergency calls from concerned residents, the couple told TODAY.com.
To calm fears, Peden posted a video on Facebook clarifying: “Our house will be on fire (not real fire) as Halloween decorations every night from 8–10 PM between now and October 31. Please do not call the fire department again!”
Firefighters Caught in the Middle
Fountain Inn Fire Chief Russell Alexander said the department has dealt with this before. When the couple first unveiled the “fire house” in 2023, they fielded around 30 calls in October alone.
“This year hasn’t been as bad,” Alexander explained. “We’ve only had a few calls from people who are new to the area.” Still, he stressed that his crews respond every time:
Despite knowing the setup is only a decoration, Alexander said his department still sends a truck each time a call comes in — just to be safe.
Viral Fame and Mixed Reactions
The display has exploded online, with a TikTok video of the house racking up nearly 25 million views in less than a week.
Reactions have been divided:
- Some users praised the realism: “Very cool! But looks very realistic! I would have been one of the people calling as well.”
- Others worried about safety: “This should 100% be illegal… what if there’s a real fire and no one calls?”
Lee brushed off the criticism, saying, “Most people appreciate it, but you’ve got the one percent who are never happy with anything.”
Peden added that their 15‑year‑old son enjoys seeing the house trend on TikTok.
A Tradition of Over-the-Top Horror
This isn’t the couple’s first headline-grabbing stunt.
- In 2021, they staged a mock aviation disaster, complete with a broken plane and skeleton passengers.
- In 2022, they created a grisly car crash scene featuring an overturned van and a 12‑foot skeleton.
“It’s just gotten crazier and crazier every year,” Lee said.
Looking Ahead
Despite the confusion, the couple has no plans to tone down their spooky traditions. For them, the spectacle is about community spirit and Halloween fun — even if it means the fire trucks keep rolling by.
Additional coverage:
Photo Credits:
Amanda Riggins Peden and Sam Lee