Socastee church fire deemed ‘suspicious’ by investigators

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Horry County Fire officials say a fire that damaged a church in Socastee is being investigated as a ‘suspicious’ blaze.

Horry County Fire Rescue Captain Mark Nugent says fire crews responded to the church just after midnight Wednesday morning. Firefighters reported smoke coming from Heavenly Grace Ministries Church, located at 5288 Peachtree Road, when they arrived on scene.

Fire investigators were called in to evaluate the scene. Working with the Horry County Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), investigators determined that the fire is suspicious, but couldn’t immediately offer a possible cause to the blaze.

If anyone has information on this specific fire, please e-mail the Horry County Investigations Division at crimetips@horrycounty.org, or call the Tips Line at 843-915-TIPS (8477).