Man Faces Charges In Trying To Burn Down Family's Home

A Union man has been charged with arson after he allegedly tried to burn down the home of relatives 

Charles Anthony West, 37, faces one count of second-degree arson.

He is being held without bond.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched Sept. 10 to the 2000 block of Cross Creek Lane 

The caller advised she was being assaulted by her uncle.  

The caller later advised the suspect possibly fled from the residence. 

A search for the suspect was made and he was not located. Due to past and recent threats, everyone at the residence left the residence for the evening for their safety. 

Within minutes after leaving the residence, family members again were receiving threats he would burn the house down so they requested deputies to respond back to the residence. 

When the deputy arrived, he noticed the garage door was now partially open. While checking the residence, he found smoke emitting from a window on the rear lower level of the residence. 

After Union Fire Protection District and Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District were able to extinguish the fire, deputies searched the area again and located the suspect in the area of Highway 50 and Highway BB. 

He was taken into custody and arrested on active warrants.