CHARLESTON – In another mysterious early morning fire, flames erupted Saturday in recycling bins on a porch at 54 Vanderhorst St., fanning fears that the downtown serial arsonist had struck again. City arson investigators weren't saying Monday whether they think the fire was an accident or connected to arsons in the neighborhood, but residents said officers did extensive tests and numerous interviews to piece together what happened. (more…)

Witness Sought in Recent Fire

CHARLESTON – Officials from the City of Charleston Fire Department are hoping to find the witness from a weekend fire in downtown. Spokesman Mark Ruppel talked to the media today about that fire on Vanderhorst street. It happened Sunday and investigators say it started in recycling bin. Investigators want more information on the fire and a fresh witnesses, Ruppel says, may offer the best leads, in the ongoing arson investigation.

$50,000 for Information Leading to Arrest

CHARLESTON – The Peninsula Fire Investigation Task Force announced Thursday afternoon that it has increased the reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of the person responsible for Charleston's downtown fires.

Interactive Map of 80+ Fires in Charleston Area

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SPARTANBURG – FF's in the Whitney Community have their hands full this evening with a fully involved house fire at 670 Old Whitney Road. FF's arrived on scene with heavy smoke and fire showing. Mutual aid was reportedly received from Cherokee Springs, Hilltop, and Drayton. Picture Gallery at SConFire Facebook

DILLON COUNTY – Assistan Fire Chief Ed Edwards remains in critical condition this evening. We will have more as it becomes available. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

ABBEVILLE – A man who previously worked as an Anderson city and Honea Path police officer has been arrested in Abbeville County and charged with third-degree arson, jail records show. (more…)

DILLON COUNTY – The name of that critically injured Dillon County FF has been released. Chief Bobby Thompson says that Assistant Chief Ed Edwards  suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed at the scene. Fellow FF's performed CPR then transported him to McCleod Hospital. His condition at this time is not known, only that he is listed as critical.

The fire has been determined to be arson and SLED investigators are on the scene.

We will continue to bring you news on Assistant Chief Edwards and the heinous crime as it becomes available.

MORE: Dillon County FF Critically Injured

CHARLESTON – Rescue workers evacuated about 80 elderly residents from Ansonborough House on Society Street in the cold and dark this morning after fire broke out in one of the apartments. Charleston Fire Department spokesman Mark Ruppel said firefighters quickly contained the 5 a.m. blaze to the single room. Paramedics took the resident to Medical University Hospital, but officials did not know the severity of his injuries Friday morning.

NORTH CHARLESTON – Amy Robinson was arrested in 2009 for a fire that killed her children, 2-year-old Anthony Lazo and 2-month-old Tatyanna Green. She was in court Thursday. Amy Robinson was sentenced today in a Charleston County court room. She pleaded guilty on 2 charges of involuntary man slaughter and one charge of unlawful conduct.

The judge sentenced her to 3 years probation. It was in August of 2009 that her trailer caught fire, trapping her children inside. Two year old Anthony and his half sister 2-month old Tatyanna died as a result. Police initially said that their investigation lead them to believe she was not in the home.

A prosecutor from the solicitor’s office said today, their investigation showed that it could not be determined, whether Robinson was or was not, inside the home.

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DILLON COUNTY – A Veteran Dillon County FF is in critical condition this morning after battling a SECOND fire in 2 days at Players Nightclub on Dean Court. The unnamed FF was battling the blaze when he reportedly "dropped" while operating a hoseline. He is reported to have been in full arrest and was tended to by crews on the scene.

The owner of the building said on Wednsday someone cut a hole in the roof and poured gasoline into the building and then setting it alight. No cause for the 2nd fire has been determined at this time.

Another suspicious fire was set at the Stables Club in the Little Rock on Highway 9 West. Stables is just down the road from the fire this morning.

SLED is working the case with Dillon County Fire Investigators.

More information as it becomes available through the day.

CHARLESTON – Marsh Bennett, 78, died in an early morning fire in 2002 that began on the first-floor porch and spread upstairs, trapping him inside. Investigators never determined the cause, leaving family members and residents in the apartment below to wonder what might have happened: Was it a smoldering cigarette that set it off? Was it related to all the arsons in the neighborhood? (more…)

Interactive Map of 80+ Fires in Charleston Area

MORE: City List Omits 2 Possible Arsons

MORE: List of Suspicious Fires Grow

MORE: Fatal Inquiry Won't be Reopened

MORE: Officials Decline to Talk About 2002 Fire