2 school buses burned at a Burke County school; Connelly Springs man charged

A man was charged after two school buses were set on fire late Saturday night, according to the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Devin Harlan Clark, 27, of Connelly Springs, was charged with felony burning of personal property and burning of a school house, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Clark was charged after deputies were dispatched to Icard Elementary School around 12:19 a.m. Sunday at the request of the Burke County Fire Marshal's Office after two school buses were set on fire, the release said. The bus fires also caught an area of the school on fire.

Cheryl Shuffler, public relations officer for Burke County Public Schools, said both buses were total losses. Each bus will cost about $145,000 to replace, she said.

Deputies reviewed security footage and identified Clark as a suspect. Clark was arrested just before 4 a.m. Sunday when he returned to his home, the release said.

His bond was set at $75,000 secured.

Chrissy Murphy is a staff writer and can be reached at or at 828-432-8941.

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