Investigation Begins in Carolina Forest Fire that Burned 26 Homes
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Hemera Technologies/Thinkstock(CAROLINA FOREST, S.C.) — Officials are investigating a Saturday night brush fire that consumed 26 condominium buildings and burned more than 100 homes in Carolina Forest, S.C.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission is handling the investigation after the fire destroyed dozens of buildings. According to the Myrtle Beach Sun-News, weather conditions including wind gusts, low humidity and warm temperatures have created elevated fire danger levels.
The smoke from Saturday night’s fire could be seen for miles. According to the Sun-News, firefighters responded to the fire at approximately 5:00 p.m. Saturday, finally getting the flames under control at about 10:30 p.m., as reported by the Sun-News. Four first responders were taken to the hospital, but no residents were injured or killed.
While the cause of the fire is not clear, one witness told the Sun-News that it seemed to begin near a set of power lines.
It is unknown how many people were displaced by the fire. Residents of the buildings that were not burned down were told that they could retrieve imperative belongings, such as medication, on Sunday morning.
A burn ban has been put into effect, prohibiting any open flames indefinitely.
In addition, the South Carolina Forestry Commission says that they have a Red Flag warning out, meaning that the warmth, lack of humidity and winds, the same weather conditions that fed Saturday night’s blaze, still exist and citizens should remain cautious.
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