SC Wildfire burns down homes as hundreds of people are forced
to flee the rapidly spreading fire in one of the busiest holiday spots in
South Carolina.
In the affected areas, residents were awakened by police banging on
their doors urging them to evacuate their homes immediately as
strong winds were rapidly spreading the blaze. It was being pushed
in the direction of Barefoot Landing development near Myrtle Beach.
Barefoot Landing Resort is a popular complex of homes, condos and
golf courses.
Badly shaken residents managed to flee to safety and are currently
being sheltered at City Hall and The Blues at Barefoot Landing.
Some 2,500 people on the western side of the Intracoastal waterway
were instructed to leave their homes overnight. Officials are hoping
the waterway will act as a firebreak and protect more populated areas
closer to the beach.
Strong gusting winds are making it more difficult for the firefighters
to bring the blaze under control.
According to North Murtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley upwards of
40 homes had already been destroyed or damaged by the fire. She said
that a more accurate tally would be available after a building assessment
had been completed by about 2 p.m. Thursday. She also expressed relief
that no one so far had sustained any injuries.
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