South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is assisting local authorities in Edgefield after a fatal house fire on New Year’s Eve claimed the life of 30-year-old resident Paul Johnson.​
Incident Overview
Firefighters recovered Johnson’s body from his Jeter Street home within Edgefield city limits on Wednesday, December 31, with time of death pronounced around 5 p.m. by Edgefield County Coroner David Burnett. The cause remains under joint investigation by SLED, Edgefield Police, and the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.​
Next Steps
An autopsy is scheduled in Newberry to determine the fire’s origin and Johnson’s manner of death, potentially ruling on smoke inhalation, trauma, or arson. Such cases in small towns like Edgefield often involve routine checks for electrical faults or heating issues during cold snaps.​
Local Impact
This tragedy coincides with heightened holiday fire risks in the CSRA region, where recent cold fronts prompted increased use of space heaters—echoing patterns in nearby counties amid dry conditions.
