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Fire burns Garden City businesses
Posted: 10.02.2008 at 11:56 PM
Amanda Kinseth

Amanda kinseth is the host of Carolina & Company.

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Fire investigators are trying to determine what started a fire in Garden City that destroyed two businesses.

"There were giant mushroom clouds and flames started shooting out the front of the building," said Justin Powell, who lives nearby.

The fire started in the Pacific Beachwear store around 2:30pm, according to the Chief at Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire.

"It engulfed in flames so fast it was amazing. I don't think i've ever seen a fire like that before," says Ann Fairchild, who owns Painter's Ice Cream.

A firewall helped protect her local landmark, but the fire spread over the cement blocks.

"They got their ice cream and everybody ran, so no body was hurt."

Except Fairchild is still hurting inside. "We're all crushed."

Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Chief Norman Knight says a cause for concern were the power lines. Firefighters had to position the ladder truck underneath of them because they're so dangerous.

"We don't want to put them up where the ladder truck may come in contact with them and could electrocute the driver before they even get out of the truck."

Fire crews got the flames under control as power crews tried to restore electricity to those living nearby.

Fairchild wonders how to carry on her family tradition. "I am in a place that I've never been before i'm very lost. I don't know how to recover from a fire."

Knight says had the wind been blowing differently, nearby homes would've been affected.