COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Gov. Nikki Haley is asking the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare Horry County a disaster area following last weekend's fire that destroyed more than 100 homes near Myrtle Beach.
Haley asked the agency in a letter Friday to implement its disaster loan program. The letter provided to the Associated Press says Haley won't seek help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency because the fire didn't meet its assistance thresholds.
The fire started March 16 as a wildfire and spread quickly as winds gusted up to 30 mph. Two dozen condominium buildings in the Windsor Green golf course neighborhood were reduced to ankle-high rubble.
Haley walked around the complex Monday and said it was a miracle no one died.
Firefighters saved dozens of other buildings in the tightly packed complex.
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