Columbia firefighter charged with arson, suspended

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A 13-year-veteran with the Columbia fire department has been charged with third-degree arson.

Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins said 38-year-old Pierre Daye of Columbia was on the job at fire headquarters Wednesday when Columbia police officers arrested him. Daye was immediately placed on suspension without pay.

An arrest warrant says Daye helped set fire to a home in Columbia on Aug. 20.

Jenkins says he couldn’t release any additional information because the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the matter.

Daye was being held at the Richland County jail. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he has an attorney.