Richland authorities investigating intentionally set and fatal house fire in Hopkins
Columbia fire fighters responding to a Lower Richland house fire early Friday found a body inside after they put out the fire.
The fire was intentionally set, authorities said.
Columbia Fire Department were called out at about 6 a.m. to the 100 block of American Avenue in Hopkins, which is about 3 miles from Garners Ferry Road and Lower Richland High School.
When fire fighters arrived, the house was engulfed with flames, the department said. Crews doused the flames from outside until it was safe for fire fighters to enter the house.
Authorities pronounced the person dead at the scene. Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford identified the victim as 42 year old Brandon R. Burden.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department was called to the scene. In a statement, the department called the fire “suspicious.”
Later Saturday afternoon, Richland County’s fire marshal said “preliminary findings indicate the fire was intentionally set inside a room using an undisclosed ignition source and combustible materials.”
Deputies continue to investigate.
This story was originally published January 23, 2021 at 12:02 PM.