WHITEVILLE — A Whiteville man has been charged in connection with multiple intentionally set fires along U.S. 74, according to arrest records and law‑enforcement documents.
Jeremy Lynn Hayes, 42, of 2948 Smyrna Road, was arrested on April 16, 2026, and charged with three felony counts of setting fire to grassland, brushland, and woodland. The charges stem from a series of fires reported along the highway earlier this year.
According to warrants, investigators allege Hayes set three separate fires on February 26, 2026, between mile markers 233 and 235 on U.S. 74. Fire crews and deputies responded to the scenes, where the fires were quickly contained.
Hayes was booked into the Columbus County Detention Center and is being held under a $25,000 secured bond. He remained in custody as of Friday.
No injuries were reported in connection with the fires, and authorities have not released additional details about a possible motive. The investigation remains ongoing.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
© 2026 BCDollarSaver.com. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment