DASHCAM VIDEO: Fire conditions from a forest fire and brush fire that eventually destroyed 26 condominium buildings and displaced 190 people.
Horry County Fire Rescue responded to a report of a brush fire about 5:08 p.m. Saturday March 16, 2013 that spread to neighboring condominiums and single family residences, causing significant loss.
Call times from the Horry County 911 center show the first call regarding the March 17, 2013 fire was received at 5:08 p.m., but the telecommunicator taking the call was confused about the location and transferred the call to the city of Myrtle Beach at 5:11 p.m.
A report of a brush fire at 213 Wando River Road in the Ashley Park subdivision, which is separated from the Windsor Green condominium development by power lines, was received just before 5:12 p.m.
The first fire engine from Carolina Forest arrived within five minutes of that call (5:17 p.m.).
Sunday morning, a fire that destroyed 26 buildings in the Carolina Forest Community of Horry county has been contained, but as of 8 a.m., firefighters say one building is still actively burning.
WPDE interview: Jon Downey, witness, talks about fire at Windsor Green apartments.
WPDE interview: Vincent Schiavone, witness, talks about fire in Carolina Forest.
Carolina Forest, Myrtle Beach Apartment fires.
The fire was reported contained on Sunday March 17, 2013. In total, about 108 condominium units were destroyed.
Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community in Horry County, South Carolina between Myrtle Beach and Conway in an area planned by International Paper in the late 1990s.
Aftermath video from WPDE New Channel 15 — Florence, Pee Dee, and Grand Strand area ABC affiliate.
See also …
Horry County Fire Rescue
SCONFIRE.COM Horry County Continues Looking Into Delay in Response Time for Carolina Forest Fire
One reason for slow response was the fact that 501 was extremely busy and there are no fire lanes for first responders to solely use. Many people made no attempt to move to the sides or
onto grassy areas so fire trucks could get through. I was able to get to the seen via another route and arrived before many of the fir trucks!
After reviewing many of the videos I must praise the police who were first to arrive and thank them for putting their own safety at risk in order to make sure all residents got to safety. God Bless them!
I understand that containing the fire was a great concern and was successfully done, but I don’t understand why no fire personnel even attempted to stop buildings in the path of the fire from beginning to burn. I watched all the videos and it shows that several buildings could have been spared. Also, why weren’t doors of buildings that were not burning knocked down when no one answered? There could have been people who could not hear, and there were many pets that could have been saved? Could someone please explain? Why weren’t more trucks working on putting out the fire instead of just parked on Gateway Drive?
Thank you
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