Report: York Co. inmate set off jail fire sprinkler after threat from girlfriend

An inmate set off the fire alarm and sprinkler system in the York County Detention Center because he was upset after his girlfriend threatened to burn down his house, according to the York County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire alarm went off Monday in one of the jail’s housing units, according to a sheriff’s report. Deputies tracked the alarm to a cell occupied by Antonio Walton, 27, of Rock Hill.

The incident caused all housing units to be locked down, and “normal activities” had to be stopped while crews cleaned up the mess, deputies said. Walton told deputies he set the alarm off because “his girlfriend had threatened to burn his house down and he was upset.”

The cost to replace the sprinkler head in the cell is about $800, the report states. Walton, who was already in jail on a charge of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, was also charged with willful injury to courthouse or jail.

Walton remained in jail Thursday under $1,500 bond, according to jail records.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Report: York Co. inmate set off jail fire sprinkler after threat from girlfriend."