2 charged with arson in abandoned house fire in Edgefield County

EDGEFIELD, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – Two suspects have been charged with arson in connection with a fire at an abandoned home, according to the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office.

Dispatchers were called around 5:50 a.m. to respond to a house fire on Murphy Street near Edgefield Road behind St. Edward Church.

At the scene, officers discovered the home was vacant and had no power, officials said.

Officials say the home is a total loss.

Officers say they followed leads at the scene and were able to identify two suspects.

Harlem Fire Department extinguishes leaking propane on November 11, 2024.

Mary Bridget “Carmen” Sherlock, 30, and Michael Anthony Riley, 23, both of Murphy Estates, were arrested Wednesday, according to officials.

On Thursday, we learned they had both been charged with second-degree arson, according to Sheriff Jody Rowland.

Sherlock and Riley are both being held at the Edgefield County Detention Center pending a bail hearing.

“We are confident that the quality of our case against these two will result in a conviction in court,” said Sheriff Jody Rowland.

According to officials, the sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the State Law Enforcement Division’s arson team.

Merriwether and County Line firefighters also responded to the scene, according to the dispatch.