NORTH MYRTLE BEACH - More than a week has passed since Horry County’s wildfire forced thousands of people from their homes. The fire is 100 percent contained but many homes were destroyed and many others are uninhabitable.
The Forestry Commission says in all, the fire destroyed more than 19 thousand acres and 70 homes, and damaged more than 100 others.
The Forestry Commission calls the highway 31 fire the worst wild land urban interface fire in the state's history. Some residents who lost everything in that fire turned to local churches for help and support during that tough time.
On Sunday, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston brought comfort to the faithful at Our Lady Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach. News 13 spoke with the Bishop about the community's loss and how their faith may help them get through.
"The people in this area really suffered some strong trauma past couple of weeks and the majority of the people who were affected, The Catholics in the area were really connected with this parish,” said Bishop Robert Guglielmone.
Those whose faith remained intact if not their homes came to a noon Mass to seek comfort and hope from the Bishop who shared their spiritual beliefs.
"I just wanted to be with them to pray with them pray for them to show them my own personal support and the support of the diocese and the fact that they don't walk this journey alone,”explained the Bishop.
Bishop Guglielmone met privately with several families that lost their homes to the wildfires in the Barefoot community and later was scheduled to take a tour of the neighborhood.
“I wanted to see the area, I want to see the devastation first hand so that I just have a greater appreciation of what it really is" the Bishop said.
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