News Summary
An abandoned hotel, the Sea Gypsy Inn, caught fire early Sunday morning in Myrtle Beach. Firefighters battled the flames for over two hours while dealing with extreme heat. One firefighter was hospitalized, and witnesses reported significant damage to the building. The hotel, which has been out of business since 2021 and was scheduled for demolition, has a troubled history with previous fires and safety concerns. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – An abandoned hotel known as the Sea Gypsy Inn caught fire on the morning of Sunday, July 27, 2025. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. on North Ocean Boulevard, located just off the beach and adjacent to the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Fire crews battled the flames for over two hours under extreme heat, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Firefighters reported visible damage on the top floor of the three-story building. One firefighter was subsequently taken to the hospital, though officials have not confirmed whether the hospitalization resulted from fire-related injuries or heat-related illnesses caused by the high temperatures. As of Monday morning, the Myrtle Beach Fire Department had not publicly released the cause of the fire or who reported it.
The Sea Gypsy Inn has been out of business and slated for demolition following increased safety concerns. The motel was previously labeled a “haven for drug traffickers and users” before its closure in 2021. Local land records indicate that both the Sea Gypsy Inn and the nearby Coral Sands motel are owned by Rainmaker Holdings, which purchased the properties for a total of $4.525 million in September 2024. In light of safety issues, the city had already voted to demolish the hotel, and Allen’s Demolition, LLC began the demolition process for both motels just two days prior to the fire, on July 25, 2025.
Witnesses reported burn damage to the exterior of the building, with scorch marks evident around upper-level windows. After the fire was deemed “under control,” fire crews maintained a presence at the scene to conduct salvage and overhaul operations. It has been documented that the Myrtle Beach Fire Department had previously responded to other fires at the Sea Gypsy Inn, with several incidents reported in 2019 and 2022.
Chad Lackman, a nightwatchman for the Sea Gypsy Inn, expressed his concerns about safety in the vicinity, highlighting that another fire occurred at the nearby Coral Sands motel just a few months earlier. Investigations into the origins of this latest incident remain ongoing, leaving local officials and residents eager for answers regarding the circumstances surrounding both motels.
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Additional Resources
- WBTV: Firefighter Hospitalized After Myrtle Beach Hotel Catches Fire
- Wikipedia
- WBTW: Myrtle Beach Crews on Scene at Hotel Fire
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach Hotel Fire
- Myrtle Beach Online: Hotel Fire Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica
- WPDE: Hotel Fire Blocked Off Near Ocean Blvd
- Google News: Myrtle Beach Fire
- WMBF News: Crews Respond to 2-Alarm Fire
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
