COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia Police say that a man they believe started a fire inside a vacant home on Thursday night has been taken into custody.
According to a statement from the Columbia Fire Department, crews were called to a fire in the 3400 block of Beaumont Avenue - the Booker Washington Heights area - around 11 p.m.
Upon arrival, fire crews said the home was already heavily burning. Crews were able to get the fire under control without having any injuries reported.
However, police later found evidence that the fire itself was a possible arson. They've since arrested 57-year-old Michael Masterson McClellan whom they believe broke into the home and then starting the fire that consumed it.
Those alleged actions have earned McClellan warrants for first-degree burglary and second-degree arson. According to Columbia Police, neither of these charges are unfamiliar to McClellan. He was charged with both in 2018 in the 3500 block of the same street for, according to police, intentionally setting multiple fires.
