We woke up in the morning with the smell of smoke inside our home. We immediately closed the windows. It became evident that we were now National News.
I first noticed the fire as we exited my Grandmother's Funeral Home, right after her incineration started on Wednesday at around noon. Five hours later when I came back to pick up her ashes, the fire had spread and it took on a life of its own. The first video reflects that.
I left the house at 8am this morning, headed to Surfside/Garden City Beach, located about 40 minutes away via highway 31, which was now closed, thus doubling my driving time. The second video shows the thick smoke on highway 17 in North Myrtle Beach.
Three of my daughter's friends have lost their homes in the fire. Several shelters are still open; one of them in my gym - the North Myrtle Beach Aquatics and Fitness, the other at my daughter's church, the Barefoot Church on Main Street. All North Myrtle Beach Schools were cut short: after about an hour of class, all students were dismissed. They were actually having the PAC testing today, a huge deal for our schools, perhaps the only reason they've even attempted to have class today. It's kind of hard to concentrate on a test when you know you no longer have a home...
The third, fourth and fifth clips were shot on my way back from Surfside/Garden City, around 3:30 in the afternoon.
We were the only ones on the Beach tonight, as we were holding my Grandmother's Funeral. By the time we finished our intimate and very touching Celebration of my Grandmother's Life, we realized the skies were now clear; the fires had been put out. No more smoke, no more dark clouds.
It all started with my Grandmother's incineration and ended with her remains being lovingly poured into the blue Atlantic. The rest of the magic that transpired remains to be told in an upcoming blog.
It's late and I'm tired, but it's no longer "News" tomorrow... I thought you might want to know.
Posted by Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection 7 months ago
Interesting and scary. I have been in the midst of wild fires and it is not fun. Be safe and remember, a house can be replaced!
Posted by Gary Waters -Real estate agent Viera Suntree Melbourne and Rockledge FL (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com) 7 months ago
My condolences on the lost of your grandmother and my thoughts and prayers for the many families that have lost their homes. So glad to hear that the fires have been extinquished.
Posted by Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett Realtor® RI-Ma CEBA Master e-Pro ABR ABRM GRI CRS ((FIRST Exclusive Buyer's Office Providence-RI) ) 7 months ago
I guess we will see what your next blog will be about to get the rest of the story . To bad about your grandmother. Take care
Liz
Posted by Elizabeth Benefield (Montana Country Real Estate) 7 months ago
This is absolutely terrible. Take care of yourself and your family. Continue your blog posts since they will be your best connection the the world.
Posted by Sun City Grand Real Estate Surprise AZ Leolinda Bowers PLLC, Associate Broker (Ken Meade Realty) 7 months ago
I have been following the fires on the news. Very tragic and scary. Stay safe!!
Posted by Todd Pierceall (Prestige Properties) 7 months ago
Mirela, that is a horrific day! Those videos of the smoke are impressive! I hope that they stay out and that you're not part of the National News tomorrow!
Posted by Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team (ERA Realty Center) 7 months ago
Whoa, those pictures really brings the reality home. I'm glad they are out and wish you only blue skies ahead.
Posted by Richard T Dolbeare (RA), ABR, CRS, RSPS, BS/MS - Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today (Keller Williams Realty) 7 months ago
Hi Mirela, Very interesting as well as so scary incident this is!! Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
Posted by Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate (RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd.) 7 months ago
wow - what terrible news - read about it in today's Charleston paper
Posted by Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 ~ Search for Charleston SC Real Estate~ (Carolina One Real Estate) 7 months ago
Mirela, such sad news about the homes being lost. God bless those people and may they rebuild soon and without delay. I hope it is all clear soon.
God bless you and your family and may the warm wind carry your Grandmothers ashes to Gods loving arms! Peace to her!
Posted by Caren Wallace-Portage Lakes Real Estate Agent (Stouffer Realty, Akron, Ohio) 7 months ago
Mirela, I was thinking about you this morning as I logged onto AR. Our thoughts reach out to you and others affected. I'm glad you were still able to have the memorial to remember your Grandma. kate ford
Posted by Kate Ford Mortgage Translator (Get Your Best Mortgage Rate & Prime Real Estate Articles) 7 months ago
This was taken in The Farm at Carolina Forest about an hour ago. Hopefully the thing will keep away from here! Glad to hear you are safe Mirela!
Posted by Jeremy Blanton ActiveRain Corp. (ActiveRain Corp.) 7 months ago
Jeremy: Thanks! My boyfriend has been following the fires on the news. I am sorry for those people. It looked so clear yesterday, I thought it was all done. In the North Myrtle Beach area it's a gorgeous day, sunny and bright, without any indication of fires going on anywhere.
Posted by Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection 7 months ago
Mirela, I am glad you were lucky enough to avoid the fire. I was reading an article in my local paper and was wondering about you...
Posted by Robert Rauf (REMN The Real Estate Mortgage Network) 7 months ago
Mirela, I had sent you 2 or 3 emails in the last day or two, and still have not heard from you, so I was getting a little freaked out ... so I decided to come here to see if you posted about it.
I'm glad you and family are safe.
Posted by Sylvie Conde, Broker | Toronto Real Estate (Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage) 7 months ago
Mirela, I was in Myrtle back in I think it was 1981 and there was a bad fire. I remember my friends father on the roof of their hose with the water hose keeping the roof wet.
Posted by Greensboro, NC Real Estate Larry Story's Blog of the Triad! (Coldwell Banker Triad of Greensboro) 7 months ago
Mirela,
I'm sorry about your grandmother but so glad you and your family are safe. Thanks for all the video clips and keeping us informed.
Cindy
Posted by Cindy Eanes, Realtor, e-PRO -Chester, Virginia (Napier Realtors ERA) 7 months ago
Mirela, I have made that trip up and down 17 numerous times. It adds a whole new perspective when you recognize places and have been to where the fires have destroyed so much. Be safe!!!
Posted by Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) 7 months ago
Mirela, I'm so sorry for everyone there dealing with this. It gives you a whole new appreciation for what firefighters do. Being a SoCal gal, I've experienced the drama & trauma if wildfires. (They backfired 4 feet from my home once!) Hope all the smoke is cleared and everyone is recovering soon from this ordeal. We'll actually be in Myrtle Beach in about two weeks. Best wishes to all you friends and family
Posted by Lynn Kenton Ventura Real Estate (Ventura Property Shoppe) 7 months ago
Real estate in 2009....OMG.....You had to deal with your grandmother's death, the fire and go to a closing....amaing. My condolences on the lost of your grandmother. I pray for those who have lost their homes,
Good news that the fires ave been extinquished.
Posted by Rebecca Gaujot Lewisburg WV Realtor (Coldwell Banker Stuart & Watts Real Estate) 7 months ago
Mirela: So glad to hear that you are safe and sound. Do they know how the fires started?
Posted by Sandy Childs - Spartnaburg, SC Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) 7 months ago
Mirela,
I hope you and your family are OK after such a week. Fires are scary. And can start so small, so quickly can become devastating.
Tragic. I am so sorry.
Richard
Posted by Richard Smith Mortgages Home Loans FHA TN GA AL (American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc) 7 months ago
I guess we will see what your next blog will be about to get the rest of the story . To bad about your grandmother. Take care
Liz
This is absolutely terrible. Take care of yourself and your family. Continue your blog posts since they will be your best connection the the world.
I have been following the fires on the news. Very tragic and scary. Stay safe!!
Mirela, that is a horrific day! Those videos of the smoke are impressive! I hope that they stay out and that you're not part of the National News tomorrow!
Whoa, those pictures really brings the reality home. I'm glad they are out and wish you only blue skies ahead.
Hi Mirela, Very interesting as well as so scary incident this is!! Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
wow - what terrible news - read about it in today's Charleston paper
Mirela, such sad news about the homes being lost. God bless those people and may they rebuild soon and without delay. I hope it is all clear soon.
God bless you and your family and may the warm wind carry your Grandmothers ashes to Gods loving arms! Peace to her!
Mirela, I was thinking about you this morning as I logged onto AR. Our thoughts reach out to you and others affected. I'm glad you were still able to have the memorial to remember your Grandma. kate ford
This was taken in The Farm at Carolina Forest about an hour ago. Hopefully the thing will keep away from here! Glad to hear you are safe Mirela!
Jeremy: Thanks! My boyfriend has been following the fires on the news. I am sorry for those people. It looked so clear yesterday, I thought it was all done. In the North Myrtle Beach area it's a gorgeous day, sunny and bright, without any indication of fires going on anywhere.
Mirela, I am glad you were lucky enough to avoid the fire. I was reading an article in my local paper and was wondering about you...
Mirela, I had sent you 2 or 3 emails in the last day or two, and still have not heard from you, so I was getting a little freaked out ... so I decided to come here to see if you posted about it.
I'm glad you and family are safe.
Mirela,
I'm sorry about your grandmother but so glad you and your family are safe. Thanks for all the video clips and keeping us informed.
Cindy
Mirela, I have made that trip up and down 17 numerous times. It adds a whole new perspective when you recognize places and have been to where the fires have destroyed so much. Be safe!!!
Real estate in 2009....OMG.....You had to deal with your grandmother's death, the fire and go to a closing....amaing. My condolences on the lost of your grandmother. I pray for those who have lost their homes,
Good news that the fires ave been extinquished.
Mirela,
I hope you and your family are OK after such a week. Fires are scary. And can start so small, so quickly can become devastating.
Tragic. I am so sorry.
Richard