Gov. Haley tours area where homes were destroyed by fire in Horry County

Gov. Nikki Haley toured the damage after a fire destroyed 26 apartment buildings this weekend in Horry County. The governor and other officials held a press conference near the Windsor Green community in Carolina Forest this afternoon.

“To fly over this to see the area was devastating,” Haley said.

About 189 people were affected or displaced by the fire and 110 units were destroyed, according to officials.

State Forestry Commission investigator, Darryl Jones, said they believe the fire was started by someone after investigators ruled out natural causes.

Because of the damage, that might be the closest investigators get to finding a cause, Jones said.

The fire started near power lines less than 50 feet from the nearest building in the complex, officials said.

Haley praised the work of emergency responders, who’s work led to zero fatalities.

“Magic happened that night,” she said. “Everybody stepped up when we needed it.”

Several pets were killed in the blaze. Emergency crews have been collecting their remains in hopes of returning them to their owners.

The statewide Red Flag Alert that was issued by the South Carolina Forestry Commission was lifted on Monday. It was put into place on Saturday at midnight when weather conditions prone to fueling fires were expected to begin.

Read more in upcoming editions of The Post and Courier.

Reach Natalie Caula at 937-5594 or Twitter.com/ncaula.