Residents and homeowners in the Loris area of Horry County struggled to cope with a rash of fires over a 12-hour period that destroyed or severely damaged four buildings, including a beloved local landmark, within a few miles of each other.Police are investigating three of the four fires as suspicious and believe the three are connected. None of the homes were occupied when the fires began."There is evidence supporting that these fires were intentionally started and that they are linked together," Horry County Police Sgt. Robert Kegler said. "Detectives with the Horry County Police Departments Property Crimes, as well as Horry County Fire Rescue fire investigators are investigating these incidents."