CONWAY MAN FACES CHARGES AT MYRTLE BEACH FIRE

SC Forestry Commission officers issued two tickets
Thursday to a Conway man in connection with the wildfire that destroyed
approximately 79 homes in Horry County. According to investigators,
Mark Torchi of Woodlawn Drive, Conway, had been burning household
garbage on Saturday, April 18. This fire escaped that evening but was
apparently extinguished. On Wednesday, April 22, strong winds and low
humidity allowed the fire to rekindle and spread rapidly, growing into
what has become known as the Highway 31 Fire.

On Thursday, SC Forestry Commission investigators used fire spread
indicators to trace the origin of the Highway 31 Fire back to this
debris burn.

South Carolina Forestry Commission officers cited Mr. Torchi with
Failure to Notify the Forestry Commission, SC Code 48-35-10, and
Allowing Fire to Spread to Lands of Another, SC Code 16-11-180. The
charges can result in fines of $262.50 and $470.00, respectively. State
law requires burners to notify the SC Forestry Commission, clear around
the area to be burned, have adequate resources available to control the
fire, and stay with the fire until it is safe to leave.