The massive fire that gutted a portion of the Ocean Crest Motel in Oak Island last month has been ruled accidental. The investigation was conducted by the SBI, the ATF and the Office of State Fire Marshall. According to Glenn Emory with the Brunswick County District Attorney’s Office, the ATF report states that it appears water was blown onto exposed wires, causing a short and leading to the fire. A dozen different fire departments responded to the motel on East Beach Drive around 10 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, for a “heavily involved structure fire” call. Flames shot as high as 30-40 feet in the air as the blaze quickly spread through the motel’s main building. The building, which was closed to guests as it was undergoing renovations, was completely destroyed. No one was injured in the blaze.