Police | Cause officially undetermined in North Myrtle Beach restaurant fire

POLICE

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH

Cause undetermined in restaurant fire

The official cause of a restaurant fire in North Myrtle Beach is listed as undetermined, though fire officials suspect wiring was not sufficient to handle new air conditioning units , according to fire officials.

The fire occurred Dec. 21 at the Bar-B-Que House, 1561 U.S. 17 North in North Myrtle Beach.

The cause is listed as undetermined following an investigation by the North Myrtle Beach Fire Division and an insurance company’s forensic fire investigators, said city spokesman Pat Dowling.

“Based on the circumstances, the insurance companies chose not to spend any more money on engineering tests on HVAC electrical components that would have been required to nail down an exact cause,” he said.

The restaurant closed at 9 p.m. and employees were already gone for the night when the fire broke out, said Fire Marshal Les Williamson.

No one was injured, Williamson said. The restaurant is a total loss.

Williamson said the owner plans to rebuild.

HORRY COUNTY

Brush fire reaches Horry County home

Horry County firefighters responded Wednesday afternoon to a brush fire that spread to a mobile home.

Firefighters were dispatched at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday to Page Road in Galivants Ferry, said Leslie Yancey, Horry County Fire’s spokeswoman.

Someone was burning debris when the fire jumped the fence, Yancey said.

The fire extended to an abandoned mobile home, Yancey said.

No one was injured.

CONWAY

Campus traffic checkpoint planned

Area law enforcement officers will be at Coastal Carolina University to conduct a traffic safety checkpoint Thursday night, according to Cpl. Hugh Jones with the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

The checkpoint will take place along University Boulevard.

Local

MYRTLE BEACH

Hospice group honors veterans

Mercy Hospice will recognize military veterans serving in the city’s police and fire departments with an honors ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Base Recreation Center, 800 Gabreski Lane, Myrtle Beach.

More than two dozen police and fire department staff members have served in the U.S. armed forces, according to a press release from the city.

MYRTLE BEACH

Annual book sale slated

The Friends of the Library’s annual book sale happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the first-floor meeting room at Chapin Memorial Library, 400 14th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach.

Gently used books or other reading materials are welcomed as donations and should be dropped off before the sale begins.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the library’s programs and materials.

Admission to the sale is free.

MYRTLE BEACH

Pancake supper benefits adult school

Horry County Schools is holding its annual Adult Education Pancake Supper from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pan American House of Pancakes, 1303 S. Kings Highway.

Tickets are $5 for pancakes or French toast, a choice of meat and a drink.

For more information, call Frank Clark at 839-5400.

HORRY COUNTY

7th Congressional District debates set

Three debates for the state’s new 7th Congressional District seat are set for June.

The debates will be produced and aired by a partnership comprised of The Sun News, WBTW News 13, The (Florence) Morning News, Coastal Carolina University and Francis Marion University.

Republican candidates for the seat will participate in the first debate Monday, June 4, 7 to 8pm at the FMU Performing Arts Center in Florence.

The second, on June 7, will be for Democratic candidates from 7 to 8 p.m. at CCU’s Wheelwright Auditorium.

And a final debate will happen for nominees from each party in October.

The time has not been set for that event, which is expected to happen 7 to 8 p.m. at Wheelwright Auditorium. News 13 anchor Bob Juback will moderate.

Reporters from News 13, The Morning News and The Sun News will make up the media panels.

In addition, candidates will answer questions submitted in advance by viewers and readers.

“We are pleased to be a partner in this important effort to help voters decide on a candidate for the state’s newest Congressional district,” said Pamela J. Browning, publisher and president of The Sun News. “Whoever is elected will carry high expectations to Washington as an important advocate for our region.”

CCU also is proud to be a part of the event.

“Coastal Carolina University is honored to be a partner in presenting these important debates, designed to help citizens decide who they would like to represent our area in Washington,” said CCU President David A. DeCenzo. “We hope many will participate in these events.”

From staff reports