What neighbors thought was a tragic twist of fate at a beloved corner market has now turned into a criminal case. Three brothers behind Rock Hill's Surefire Neighborhood Market were arrested today on arson charges tied to a July 2024 fire that gutted their Sunset Park business.
Police say recovered evidence connects the siblings to the blaze that destroyed the Ogden Road storefront. The arrests of Lubika Magloire Lutuangu, Manzanza Edric Lutuangu and Mayimona Joel Lutuangu come after what residents describe as a long, frustrating wait for answers while the charred building sat as a neighborhood reminder for more than two years.
Records show the brothers were formally charged with arson today after investigators secured warrants that led to their arrests, according to WBTV. The outlet reports detectives used digital recovery techniques to pull surveillance video from the hours before the fire, and that booking photos were provided by the Rock Hill Police Department.
Before the fire, Surefire had built a loyal following. The brothers had taken a decades-old convenience store and turned it into a late-night food spot that later expanded into a popular food truck, The Herald reported. When the blaze was discovered just after midnight on July 14, 2024, it shut down the Ogden Road location and left the owners juggling insurance and repair questions. They told reporters they hoped to rebuild, but said paperwork and other business growth slowed efforts to reopen the Sunset Park site.
Recovered Footage and Investigators' Findings
Investigators say the newly recovered surveillance video puts the three brothers inside the shop around the time the fire started and captures moments they believe tie the men to the scene. Forensic examinations reportedly ruled out an electrical problem, and officials concluded the blaze began in a melted trash can, according to WBTV.
The station also reports that the footage appears to show the trash can being emptied earlier, then all three men leaving together as smoke fills the business. Those images, combined with the forensic work, form the backbone of the case now heading into court.
What Happens Next
Records indicate the trio faces arson charges, though public documents did not immediately clarify whether bond had been set or when initial court appearances would take place. The case will now move through York County's criminal system, where arraignments and formal charges are filed on the public docket.
Further details are expected as court filings and official statements are released. This story will be updated as that information becomes available.
Local Fallout
For many in the neighborhood, the legal twist lands on top of an already sore spot. Customers had long praised Surefire for its late-night and affordable options, and the brothers' shift to a food truck and Charlotte pop ups helped keep the menu alive while the Ogden Road store remained closed. Insurance negotiations and paperwork were cited by the owners as the biggest roadblocks to reopening, according to The Herald.
Now, with criminal charges on the table, the community faces a new chapter in a story that began as a neighborhood success, then turned into a smoldering mystery.
