GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) -- An arsonist probably set a blaze that destroyed nearly 400 acres of pine forest in Georgetown County, Forestry Commission officials say.
The fire started around 4 p.m. Saturday just off U.S. 17 South, said Forestry Commission spokesman Ken Cabe.
A preliminary investigation showed the fire was set intentionally, Cabe said.
Four Forestry Commission bulldozers spent Saturday night establishing firebreaks around the blaze, Cabe said. The fire was contained Sunday afternoon and forestry officials stayed at the scene throughout the day.
Most of the burned property is owned by Santee Cooper, he said.
The fire did not cause power outages or threaten the Winyah Generating Station, said Laura Varn, spokeswoman for Santee Cooper.
Santee Cooper officials are working with the Forestry Commission to investigate the blaze, Varn said.
