Arson Blamed for Historic South Carolina Courthouse Fire

LANCASTER, S.C. --

Court has been held in a courthouse on Main Street in Lancaster County since it was built in 1828. It with stood General Sherman's troops in 1865, an earthquake 20 years later and a Molotov cocktail a couple years ago.

But the fire this morning was just too much for the Lancaster county courthouse. The roof is completely gone. The building is 50 percent damaged. A structural engineer told county officials the building can be salvaged, but it won't likely make its return as a working courthouse.

Lancaster fire Chief Chris Nunnery said, "Every child who grew up here knew the courthouse. It's a sickening feeling even to get that initial call."

Investigators believe someone broke in through a front window, went up to the second floor and intentionally set the fire, then escaped by going out the back door.

Chief Nunnery said, "We don't know how long the fire was burning, but we do know it was burning for a while."

Pictures from Lancaster Fire Department showed flames shooting nearly 50 feet in the air. They destroyed the roof. But most of the court documents were downstairs, and county officials believe they might have suffered some water damage but are salvageable.

Investigators said they have no doubt this was arson. Coincidently, it was set on a day that would have started two weeks of criminal trials here. But the county is undeterred.

The Lancaster County administrator said, "Court will move forward. If you're not here Tuesday morning, the sheriff's office will pay you a visit and bring you on in."

For the families of Lancaster County this fire charred nearly two centuries of history. They hope the person who did it will be brought to justice even if it's not within these historic walls.

Kevin Cauthen said, "It's just a great loss, a great loss. It's a sad day for entire community."

Court was closed Monday but will resume 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Lancaster city police station.