A fire that damaged two homes owned by Republican South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and his wife Peggy are being investigated as arson, police said.
The Columbia police department detained a man in connection with the fire that caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to the two homes on Greene Street.
The two homes were rental properties and everyone was able to get out safely. At least twelve people have been displaced because of the fire.
Firefighters were called out to the scene at 6:30 AM Tuesday morning according to the Fire Chief. It took about an hour to put out the blaze.
Video of firefighters putting out the blaze:
VIDEO: More footage of the two alarm fire on Green St. in Columbia. @MichelleZhuWACH is on the scene. pic.twitter.com/a5LDT0u9Qp
— WACH FOX (@wachfox) May 14, 2019
South Carolina Arson… https://t.co/BMSsuQh9Lv
— MikeKirby (@mikekirbyone) May 14, 2019
The Columbia Police Department have a suspect detained according to police chief Holbrook and fire chief Jenkins.
Watch a quick presser given by Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins:
VIDEO: Chief Jenkins on the fire at two homes owned by Gov. McMaster. pic.twitter.com/wekfLGdDQT
— WACH FOX (@wachfox) May 14, 2019
Although the motivation for the fires is not official, they come just hours after Gov. McMaster announced his pledge to sign a strict fetal heartbeat abortion ban.
