Arson ruled out in Ocean Lakes Family Campground fire

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Horry County Fire Rescue said Monday that the large fire at Ocean Lakes Campground was not a case of arson.

The blaze tore through 10 buildings off Neptune Road in the Ocean Lakes Family Campground early on the morning of Friday, July 31.

Horry County Fire Chief Joey Tanner said the fire broke out around 4:44 a.m. When crews arrived, there were two to three buildings completely on fire.

At that time, Tanner said they called in more crews to help and Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue, Conway Fire, Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire and Surfside Beach Fire all came to help.

Tanner said 10 buildings were damaged by the fire, with five significantly damaged and three completely destroyed and collapsed.

No one in the homes was hurt, but that two firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion.

Tanner said at least 45 people were affected by the fire in some way and that the department and the American Red Cross assisted those residents.

While arson was ruled out, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.