MYRTLE BEACH — Horry County officials have narrowed down the candidates for fire chief to three.

The three finalists in the running to be named the next chief of Horry County Fire Rescue were released Thursday afternoon. They are: H.P. “Butch” Womack, fire chief for the city of Easley, S.C.; James Crawford, assistant fire chief for Midway Fire Rescue in Pawleys Island; and Frederick Crosby, chief of fire and EMS for Hanover County, Va.

Not among the final three was interim Chief Kenneth Bean, who had previously expressed an interest in the job.

Beans was named interim chief April 13 after former chief Garry Alderman announced his request for reassignment because of personal reasons.

As for who will be the next permanent chief, 51 applications were initially received.

Lisa Bourcier, Horry County spokeswoman, said the county hopes to announce the new chief within the next two weeks.

Contact BRAD DICKERSON at 626-0301.