Myrtle Beach hotel fire: Dramatic photos show building ablaze as holidaymakers evacuated
Fire crews were called to the Captain’s Quarters Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, just before 6am with reports a fire had broken out, thought to have originated in a bowling alley
Fire crews are battling a blaze which took hold in a hotel resort with holidaymakers evacuated.
Crews were called at 5.35am for a multi-alarm fire at the Captain’s Quarters Resort on South Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Everyone inside the resort was evacuated as a safety precuation. It is unclear whether people will be allowed to return today.
The Myrtle Beach Fire Department has said three of their firefighters have needed dehydration treatment as a result of tackling the blaze.
Department spokesperson Captain Jon Evans says the fire originated from the resort’s bowling alley.
Captain Evans says the fire is mostly under control, with crews now working on putting out hot spots. They have been assisted by crews from Horry County Fire Rescue.
In a statement, the Myrtle Beach Fire Department said: “MBFD and HCFR units are on scene of a multi-alarm commercial structure fire at 901 S Ocean Blvd. Crews are working diligently to confirm the fire has been fully extinguished.
“3 firefighters have been treated for minor medical issues but there are no civilian injuries reported. The building has been evacuated and the public is being advised to avoid the area between 8th Ave S and 10th Ave S on Ocean Blvd.”
Video taken by an eyewitness at the scene shows plumes of smoke coming out of the hotel in the early morning. Footage shows flashing lights from emergency service vehicles lighting up the streets as smoke billows out from the hotel.
Photos from the scene show windows shattered and blown out on the hotel’s exterior. People evacuated out onto the beach and have been seen standing on the street outside the hotel as they wait to hear whether they will be able to return today or not.
Captain’s Quarters is a family resort in the popular holiday spot with a waterpark for kids as well as two lazy rivers and several other pools. In total there are 15 indoor and outdoor pool features at the hotel.
The resort also houses an entertainment centre with bowling lanes, video arcade games and a bar along with four other bars and restaurants on site. The hotel is 15 floors high with 358 rooms available.
The hotel fronts onto the beach, which sees visitors flock to enjoy the sun, sea and sand each summer. Myrtle Beach is known as the hub of the Grand Strand – a 60-mile stretch of beaches along America’s east coast.
One of Myrtle Beach’s biggest draws, besides the beach itself, is the boardwalk. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a 1.2 mile stretch of walkways lined with businesses along the shoreline of downtown Myrtle Beach, starting at the Second Avenue Pier to the south and continuing up to Pier 14.
