HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Hundreds of firefighters and first responders were seen coming in and out of the Carolina Forest neighborhood Sunday, taking turns fighting a massive fire.

Dozens of homes in eight area neighborhoods were evacuated overnight Saturday. Evacuees said they were in shock the fire was happening so close to their homes.

“I’m just thankful to God that our house is safe,” one neighbor said.

Many in the Carolina Forest area were forced to evacuate their homes in the middle of the night. Some were woken up by the intense smell of smoke, others the sound of sirens or the call from a neighbor, as the fire doubled in size from 600 acres to 1200 acres overnight.

READ MORE | “Carolina Forest fire doubled in size overnight, no reported containment“

“This experience is really the worst we’ve seen since I’ve been here and I’ve been here 20 years,” said John, a Carolina Forest resident.

The Carolina Forest fire is the largest in the state, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Neighbors left frustrated wondering how this could happen.

“Right now I’m a little upset that someone did not pay head to ‘don’t start a fire,'” said Susan Marshall, who lives in the neighborhood.

A statewide burning ban remains in place until further notice.

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Blackhawk helicopters and small planes continued to drop water on the area as the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

“First responders have been awesome to have someone respond to this magnitude, to not have any structural casualties,” said Angie, an evacuee. “It’s just pretty amazing so to this I say thank you to all the first responders.”

Firefighters said they’re tired but they’re not going to stop fighting. As of 4 p.m. Sunday, the South Carolina Forestry Commission says this fire is 0% contained.

Click here to access the South Carolina Forestry Commission wildfire map.