Arrest made in Azalea Apartments Fire
An Anderson man sits behind bars charged with two counts of arson. Anderson County Fire Chief Billy Gibson reports that 33-year-old Matthew Lawrence Collett was arrested and charged with arson in the third degree for the Azalea Apartments fire and could face up to 15-years in prison plus an additional charge of attempted murder. Thirty families were left homeless after the Azalea Apartments fire on August 19th. Collett is also charged in the March 30, 2013 fire at 1098 Cartee Road, which resulted in the death of Billy Frank Cheeck. He died while trying to put out the fire. Collett stands charged with arson in the first degree for the Cartee Road fire and could face 30 years. Investigators say they have evidence that puts Collett at both fires and more charges could be added in the future.