Man who pleaded guilty to starting 2009 Highway 31 wildfire accused of failing to stop for police

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The man who started the 2009 Highway 31 wildfire in Horry County has been arrested again, according to a police report obtained by News13.

Marc Torchi, 54, was arrested Tuesday and charged with failure to stop for a blue light and possession of methamphetamine or cocaine. He was released from the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Wednesday on a $8,500 bond.

An Horry County officer noticed Torchi’s Chevrolet Silverado driving over the double lines on Main Street and 15th Avenue in the Conway area multiple times and conducted a traffic stop, the report said.

Torchi’s vehicle didn’t stop and stayed at about 20 mph before ultimately stopping at Main Street and 5th Avenue, according to the report. Torchi was put in handcuffs before his vehicle was searched.

Officers searched his vehicle and found a plastic baggie with a white substance believed to be methamphetamine, the report said. The bag had 0.2 grams of meth.

In 2009, Torchi started one of the worst wildfires in South Carolina history. No one was hurt, but 76 homes were destroyed, 97 were damaged and more than 19,000 acres of land were burned.

More than 500 people fought the fire, which the state said caused about $50 million worth of damage. Torchi was arrested for starting the initial fire and pleaded guilty to two charges. He was also eventually charged by the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Torchi’s Tuesday arrest was at least his fifth arrest in Horry County in 2024, online booking records show. He was previously charged with various traffic offenses and shoplifting.

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Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here .

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