The Myrtle Beach man charged with arson after a fire spread through 21 apartments told police he intentionally lit his curtains on fire, according to the warrant.
James Clark Rusenko, 32, has been charged with 21 counts of second-degree arson in connection with the multiple apartment fire at Ocean Creek Resort in Myrtle Beach on Friday night.
The arresting officer said once police were on the scene of the fire, Rusenko approached them and began “making spontaneous utterances that he had intentionally set the fire,” according to the warrant.
Rusenko continued to tell police he set the fire by igniting the curtains in his apartment on fire with a lighter, police said.
A judge denied Rusenko bond on Sunday, saying it was in the best interested of everyone.
“Many victims say they now have nothing but memories of what in their units, most of which was irreplaceable,” the court clerk said when reading statements at the bond hearing.
“One victim stated that she recently lost her husband and everything she had left of him is now gone. His actions are unthinkable and that needs to be taken in consideration when setting his bond.”
The fire had been knocked down as of midnight Saturday and firefighters were preparing to clear the scene.
HCFR said early Saturday morning that no injuries were reported after the fire that involved a response from 82 firefighters.
According to Tony Casey with Horry County Fire Rescue, firefighters with HCFR were assisted by those from the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department.
News13 will provide more information as it becomes available.
