At 1745 on 7 May 2004, Horry County, South Carolina, 911 received several calls reporting a fire and two possible explosions at 577 Blue River Dr.
Horry County Fire Rescue Engines 4, 1, 39, 23, Towers 39 & 1, and Battalion Chief 2 were dispatched. Engine 4 arrived to find a three story apartment building with fire showing from all floors. Engine 4 immediately went to work to protect exposures "B" and "D" which were already suffering damage. Two 2 1/2" lines were deployed to protect the structure while crews began searching the exposure apartments. Engine 4 obtained water from a hydrant 25' from the engine. Tower 39 arrived to assist E4's deck gun in knocking down the main body of fire.
Mutual aid was received from Myrtle Beach Fire Department and Conway Fire Department.
The owner/occupant of a ground floor apartment self rescued and was able to get one cat out. An hour into the fire, firefighters caught his second cat running loose near the building. At 0750 the following morning, E4 Captain located his third cat still inside and quite alive. Cold and scared the cat was brought to the owner who had stayed all night in hopes of finding his cat.
Around 50 firefighters brought the incident under control in one hour and a half. Tower 39 remained through the night to maintain control of the unstable building until a crew could shore it up to begin the investigation. The cause is unknown. No injuries to firefighters or civilians occurred.
