Charleston Police have arrested 27-year-old Malcolm Jamal Brown in connection with a January 28, 2026, wildfire on Laurel Island.
Fire Incident
Crews from Charleston, Saint Johns, and Mount Pleasant fire departments battled a grass and brush fire near Romney Street by the Ravenel Bridge and I-26, starting just before 11 p.m. and burning about 20 acres of undeveloped land over several hours. No structures were damaged, and the blaze was contained by 2 a.m. using drones and specialized equipment.
Arrest and Charges
Investigators from police and the Charleston Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office determined Brown intentionally started a small fire that spread uncontrollably. He faces charges of willfully burning the lands of another without consent and was booked into Al Cannon Detention Center on February 16, 2026.
