Veteran Firefighter Charged With Arson

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins says 13-year fire engineer Pierre Daye was charged with arson and arrested Wednesday morning at fire headquarters. Officials say Saturday night, a home that Daye owned along Abington Road – but was not living in – caught fire. Chief Jenkins would not go into detail about what led to suspicions but says the department called SLED in to investigate. Residents in Daye’s neighborhood say they are in shock over the allegations that are completely out of his character. Chief Jenkins said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference that this is an isolated incident and says, “We don’t want people to lose faith in the fire department. We are out here to serve and protect the public.” Daye has been placed on investigatory leave without pay.