Beech Island, SC (13 July 2020, 9:30 am) – On July 11th around 6:53 am, Midland Fire Department and Aiken County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 126 Lamar Street in Warrenville for a structure fire. Fire crews and deputies initially confirmed that the all of the occupants were outside but was later told by a resident that a 10 year old boy was possibly still inside. A fireman found the child inside the home and passed him through a window to deputies and other firemen. The child was transported to an area hospital for emergency care by Aiken County EMS.
Later that morning around 10:29 am, deputies and Midland Valley Fire Deprtment responded to 2006 Sumter Street in Beech Island for a residential fire. A witness on scene, alerted deputies that the suspect, Clifford Beaudin Jr. (29), standing in front of the home, watching it burn. When the witness approached the suspect, he ran away from the scene. As the fire was being extinguished by the fire department, deputies found and took Beaudin into custody. Initial results of the fire investigation indicates that Beaudin is linked to the residential fires on Lamar Street and Sumter Street. Investigators were call to both scenes to investigate the origin and cause of the fires.
Beaudin was taken to the Aiken County Detention Center where he is being held on charges of Arson 1st Degree, Arson 2nd Degree and Attempted Murder. More charges may be forthcoming as this investigation continues. As information becomes available, it will released when appropriate.
