NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – On Friday, investigators released the cause of the massive fire in North Myrtle Beach Saturday that burned six structures during Hurricane Matthew.
Fire crews responded to the working fire hours after it began on 49th and North Ocean Boulevard in Cherry Grove Saturday night due to flooding in the area.
North Myrtle Beach spokesperson Pat Dowling says the investigation by the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department concluded that the initial cause of the fire was storm surge water entering into energized electrical equipment, which caused electrical arcing and the first fire. The wind-driven fire then spread to the other structures.
All buildings involved, with the exception of 4908 North Ocean Boulevard, were completely burned by the fire, investigators said.
According to the City’s Damage Assessment, total damages incurred as a result of the fires was about $6,866,500.