VIDEO: Myrtle Beach Fires Spark State of Emergency

Massive wildfires near Myrtle Beach have led to a state of emergency. A 15,000-acre area of Horry County is affected.

Myrtle Beach Fires: Horry County

Already, thousands of people have been evacuated from the North Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina as winds push the fire closer to the community. Nearly 50 homes have already been destroyed from the flames, and as much as 8,000 acres of land charred. Thus far, no injuries have been reported.

All North Myrtle Beach schools have closed for the day. North Myrtle Beach’s City Hall and the House of Blues at Barefoot Landing have both been turned into emergency shelters.

[Map: Barefoot Landing’s House of Blues]

Firefighters believe the fire began in some woods near Conway, though they aren’t yet sure what caused it.

Myrtle Beach Fire Video

The following Myrtle Beach fire video shows raw images of the flames captured by someone in the area:

Next is clip submitted by a viewer showing heavy smoke from the South Carolina fire:

Finally, this video from CBS’s “The Early Show” features shots taken from near the frontlines of the Myrtle Beach fires: