Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA (WACH) -- A Midlands firefighter is behind bars and suspended after officials say he burned down a home he owned over the weekend.

Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins says Pierre Shawn Daye was arrested at department headquarters Wednesday.  Daye has been charged with the arson of the building on Abingdon Rd. in the Eau Claire neighborhood.

Daye had been a fire engineer with the department since 1998.

Jenkins says he can't remember when the last time, if ever, any of his employees were charged with arson.  He adds that this situation shouldn't reflect on the rest of his department.

Daye is on investigatory suspension without pay and is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. SLED is investigating the fire.

What do you think about the charges brought against the firefighter?  Does it make it worse that he is accused of setting a fire that he is employed to control?  Leave your comments below and tell us what you think.