South Carolina Firefighter Charged with Starting Fires

Authorities arrested a South Carolina firefighter saying he set a series of suspicious fires in the Aiken County area.

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office said authorities arrested 19-year-old Brandon W. Smith on Aug. 28 and charged him with four counts of second-degree arson and malicious injury to real property.

The sheriff’s office says Smith is a volunteer firefighter with the New Ellenton Fire Department.

Authorities said Smith set a fire to two homes under renovation on July 8 and Aug. 8 and also started fires at an abandoned home in New Ellenton and in a wooded area.

After setting the fires, authorities say Smith would either respond to the fires or go home.

Smith was still in custody Aug. 29. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.