Man accused of attempting to set fire to Old Trolley Road apartment complex

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A man who deputies say attempted to set fire to an apartment building on Old Trolley Road over the weekend is facing arson and burglary charges.

Dorchester County deputies responded to the Sandpiper Apartments just before 5 p.m. Saturday and began investigating the incident.

Officials say a pile of pallets was found burning in a wooded sitting area behind the complex, and a witness reported seeing the suspect spreading fire accelerant, which had ignited in the suspect’s hands.

John Karl Smith was identified as a suspect through their investigation.

When deputies attempted to locate Smith at his apartment, they entered through an unlocked door to find scorch marks coming from the apartment’s fireplace to the surrounding walls.

Deputies and firefighters also discovered significant damage to the attic firewall, which officials said had been breached, allowing access to the neighboring unit’s attic space.

“While no immediate danger was present, deputies secured the apartment pending the response of the Criminal Investigative Division and a search warrant,” the sheriff’s office said. “It was later confirmed that Smith had deliberately damaged the firewall, creating a dangerous risk of fire spreading to the neighboring unit.”

Smith eventually returned to the scene and was arrested.

He was taken to the L.C. Knight Detention Center on charges of third-degree arson, second-degree arson, and second-degree burglary.