Unattended cooking cause of deadly Horry County fire, report shows

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – A man died early December in a house fire caused by an unattended stove burner, according to a report.

On Dec. 14, the Horry County Fire Rescue and the Conway Fire Department responded around 7:30 a.m. to a house fire on Oak Street between Cultra Road and Medlin Parkway.

Conway Fire Department (left) Horry County Fire Rescue (right)(Conway Fire Department (left) Horry County Fire Rescue (right))

Crews reported containing the fire by 8:20 a.m. but said one person had sustained life-threatening injuries and later died.

Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard identified the victim as Christopher Oliver.

Oliver was found in the living room, lying on a couch near the front door, the report states.

According to an incident report, officials found a pot containing oil on the front right burner. The right front post was misaligned with the other posts, which officials say indicated the burner had been left on.

The blaze remained contained to the kitchen area but caused extensive damage throughout the home.

Officials estimated property damage at $44,000.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WMBF. For more free content like this, download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.