March 07--Two men were arrested on arson charges after police say they set fire to a wooded area near Lesslie Highway.
Michael Bledsoe, 54, of Rock Hill, has been charged with third-degree arson and public disorderly conduct, according to police documents. Michael Watkins, 45, of Lancaster has been charged with public disorderly conduct, according to police documents. Bledsoe is awaiting a bond hearing at Moss Justice Center. Watkins was not listed in the records.
The chief of the Lesslie Fire department flagged down county deputies Tuesday afternoon and said there was a fire in the woods off of 3261 Lesslie Highway, according to a York County Sheriff's Office report. Watkins was intoxicated, running toward the fire, staggering and falling down. A deputy caught up to him and handcuffed him.
Bledsoe was farther back in the woods, standing next to a tent, the report states. He was also handcuffed.
Both men were intoxicated, the report states.
After the fire was extinguished, deputies learned that Watkins had reported the fire, according to a report. In the patrol car, Watkins told Bledsoe that if he hadn't set the pine needles on fire they wouldn't be going to jail.
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