GREAT FALLS, S.C. --
A local firefighter is charged with setting a fire inside his own fire station in Great Falls.
According to an arrest warrant, it happened sometime between New Year's Day and February 7th. On Tuesday night, agents with the State Law Enforcement Division, known as SLED, arrested firefighter David Dutton, 21. He's charged with third-degree arson. Investigators said he used the hand sanitizer Germ-X to set fire to a desk in the engine bay at the Great Falls Fire Department.
Eyewitness News has learned that Dutton is also considered a person of interest in several arson cases at vacant homes in Chester County.
Sheriff's Major James McNeil said in each case, Dutton was the only firefighter on duty when the fires were called out.
"He actually responded to those fires. They happened while he was working," McNeil said. "Our investigation has led to some of his involvement."
McNeil said Great Falls has only three full-time firefighters, including Dutton. Dutton is not being called a suspect, but detectives are eager to speak to him about at least four fires.
Two were set on the same night back in October on Richburg Road north of Great Falls. Another was set just Tuesday at a vacant mobile home on Arrowood Road south of town. Another happened on Mountain Gap Road.
Dutton's mother Betty Dutton told us her son lives for his job, and wanted to be a firefighter from an early age.
"I'm just flabbergasted at the thought of this, because David has never been in any trouble," she said. "He pretty much eats, sleeps, just lives being a firefighter."
Sheriff's investigators would not discuss how those recent fires were started. They said Dutton was at each one fighting the fire, but wouldn't give other reasons that make him a person of interest. Dutton was given a bond of $10,000.
