CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — The Charleston Police Department (CPD) arrested a man last week in connection with multiple brush fires in West Ashley.
William Whitfield is charged with arson/willingly burning the land of another, dumping litter on private or public property, and damage to real property. Neighbors say he is also responsible for dumping piles of trash along Bees Ferry Road.
Police describe Whitfield as a “vagrant who lives in the woods” near Bees Ferry and jail records show he has been charged with littering, blocking storm drains, and unlawful burning within the past six months.
Whitfield’s most recent arrest stems from a Jan. 26 incident in which CPD responded to Bees Ferry Road near the Lowe’s grocery store for a brush fire in the woods around 6:20 p.m.
While attempting to put out the flames, firefighters saw a person near the fire and an officer found William Whitfield in the woods.
Upon being questioned by officers, Whitfield said he “willfully set four brush fires because he was bored and wanted to clear out some of the brush from around his tent,” according to the report.