Investigation increases in Columbus County

The FBI is looking into a suspicious fire in Columbus County, according to the Tabor-Loris Tribune. A front page article in their paper says FBI agents have been spotted at the crime scene.

The fire started last Wednesday at the Tabor City home of 17-year-old Allen Strickland, who said he was sleeping inside and woke up to a bedroom full of smoke. Strickland lived there alone, and said the home was paid for by State Sen. R.C. Soles.

Repeated calls to Sen. Soles for details on the house and the nature of his relationship with the teen have not been returned. We know the SBI is investigating the apparent arson, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation would not confirm or deny their involvement in the case.