Juveniles Arrested for Setting Fires Near School

Two Woodmont High students are facing charges after they allegedly set a wildfire on Wednesday that caused the school to go on lockdown.

At around 12:02 pm the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an area resident regarding a brush fire near the intersection of Garrison Road and Reedy Fork Road in Pelzer. Two young white females were seen by the caller in the immediate area of the fire. Deputies responded and they were able to locate the girls matching the description given by the caller near Woodmont High School.  

Upon seeing the deputies the females began to run which led to a brief foot pursuit. Deputies were able apprehend one of the females who is a 15-year old student of Woodmont High School. The second female, a 14-year old student of the high school, arrived soon after with her father to turn herself in. 

While an investigation was being conducted at the school with the two suspects and deputies a second fire was reported at approximately 2:03 pm at a vacant home only a short distance from the first fire and behind the high school.  

According to the report, the home was completely destroyed by the fire.  Deputies were able to obtain documented evidence that the 14 and 15-year old students were allegedly responsible for setting both fires, according to GCSO Master Deputy Laura Campbell.

Both suspects were arrested and taken to the juvenile detention facility located at the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center, Campbell said. The students have been charged with Willfully Burning Lands of Another, Resisting Arrest (the 15-year old only), Disturbing School, and Arson 3rd Degree.