Myrtle Beach area resident accused of starting blaze in fire pit that sparked large-scale forest fire

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Alexandra Bialousow, a resident of South Carolina’s Carolina Forest community, allegedly started a fire that led to the state’s more than 2,000-acre Carolina Forest wildfire.

Bialousow, 40, was arrested Thursday on two charges related to the escape of a residential yard debris burn that is alleged to have ignited the blaze near Myrtle Beach, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said in a Friday release.

She is accused of not taking the proper precautions to prevent her debris burn from escaping and negligently allowing fire to spread to “lands of another.”

“Witnesses reported seeing Bialousow intentionally start a fire in a backyard fire pit that was in close proximity to a tree line within Covington Lakes Subdivision on March 1,” the commission wrote. “According to the arrest warrant, the suspect ‘did not have an appropriate water source readily available,’ nor did she ‘have any garden tools on hand to control the fire, thus allowing the fire to spread to land owned by Walker Woods HOA. This incident was witnessed by several neighbors.’”

If convicted, Bialousow faces possible imprisonment and fines related to the escaped debris burn alleged to have started the fire.

Fueled by dry conditions and windy weather, the Carolina Forest fire has spread over 2,059 acres and is now 55 percent contained.

The commission said crews did not see any fire growth between Thursday and Friday, and that National Guard helicopters would be working to conduct targeted water drops. A team from the Florida Forest Service is also helping to suppress the fire.

The wildfire forced weekend evacuations in neighborhoods around Horry County, and sent thick smoke into the air that impacted visibility on roads.

No injuries have been reported and no structures have been lost, though some were damaged, according to myhorrynews.com.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.