A couple from Fountain Inn, South Carolina, has been making quite a buzz in their small town with their over-the-top Halloween displays. Neighbors are well aware of Amanda Riggins Peden and Sam Lee’s passion for transforming their home into a seasonal spectacle each year. Using a combination of special effects, smoke machines, and clever lighting, the couple simulates what looks like a real fire in their home. While it’s all meant as a fun Halloween display, some passersby mistake the dramatic scene for an actual emergency.
As a result, the local fire department receives numerous calls reporting a fire that doesn’t actually exist. To try to prevent unnecessary responses, the homeowners posted a notice on Facebook: “Our house will be ‘on fire’ (not a real fire) every evening from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM from now until October 31. Please do not call the fire department again.” Despite their warning, not everyone sees the post, and the fire department still receives multiple calls each night.
The fire chief recalled that in the very first year of the extravagant fire-themed display, the department was completely overwhelmed with calls from people who drove past the house and assumed it was a real blaze. Over the years, as more neighbors became familiar with the display, the situation has improved somewhat — though the fire department still has to respond to at least a few of these “holiday emergencies” each night.
Amanda and Sam’s enthusiasm for Halloween goes well beyond the fake fire. In 2022, they staged a simulated car crash on their front lawn, complete with dramatic effects. The year before, they went even bigger, creating a mock plane crash scene. Their creativity and dedication to the holiday have made their house a local attraction, drawing crowds of residents eager to see what they will come up with next.
@themillerstok
This house looked like it was on fire and the owners have asked that people stop calling the fire department 🔥 because it’s just a Halloween decoration in Fountain Inn, SC
♬ Whatcha Gonna Do – The Valdons
In addition to their elaborate decorations, the couple is heavily involved in supporting the local Halloween community. They sponsor the town’s annual Halloween fair, where they give away more than 2,000 pumpkins for free each year. Their efforts have earned them a reputation not just for spectacular displays, but also for generosity and community spirit.
For Amanda and Sam, Halloween isn’t just a holiday — it’s a season-long celebration and an opportunity to entertain, inspire, and engage with their community. Even if their fiery illusions occasionally send fire trucks speeding down the street, it seems everyone agrees that their creativity and dedication make Fountain Inn a little spookier — and a lot more fun — each October.
