MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – One person is in custody for allegedly setting fire at a historic church in Mt. Pleasant.
Police say the suspect was arrested after calling in a bomb threat to a Charleston County school.
According to Mt. Pleasant Mayor, Will Haynie, the fire was “deliberately” started Monday at St. Andrews Church. Mayor Haynie also said a person has been arrested in the case.
Fortunately, there was no major damage to the historic church sanctuary.
Mount Pleasant Police officers and fire crews responded to the church just before 3:00 p.m. in response to a fire inside the building.
Crews were able to extinguish the flames and an investigation determined the fire had been intentionally set.
According to the church’s social media post, the church’s facilities manager walked into the historic church and found that the fair linen and frontal on the communion table were on fire.
He immediately grabbed a handheld fire extinguisher and extinguished it.
The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department arrived within five minutes and quickly surveyed the building to ensure there were no other issues. They brought in fans to clear the smoke out of the building.
The sanctuary had minimal smoke damage. The church anticipates having its regular services on Wednesday and Sunday.
This is the second fire at the church in as many years.
During a separate investigation into a bomb threat called in for Charleston County Schools, the suspect, Landon Michael Powers, admitted to intentionally starting the fire at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
The 22-year-old was charged with Arson and Disturbing Schools from the incident involving the bomb threat. His bond totaled $25,000.
