Someone set fire to a Columbus County house occupied by a former client of state Sen. R.C. Soles.

Allen Strickland, 17, escaped before the house burned to the ground, WWAY-TV in Wilmington reports.

Last year, Strickland was arrested after police say he was threatening to extort the senator.

Strickland told the station that Soles paid for his house, his car, and gives him a regular allowance as part of an arrangement they had if Strickland finished school.

This week, morning anchor Kevin Wuzzardo asked the Senator about the gifts at the end of an unrelated interview. The station published a transcript of the exchange.

Kevin: "On another matter, a young man named Allen Strickland told us that you've given him tens of thousands of dollars to pay for his house and his car, as part of an arrangement that if he finishes school, you'll buy him these things. Have you given him that money?:

Soles: "I cannot hear you."

Kevin: (Louder) "A young man named Allen Strickland told us that you've given him tens of thousands of dollars to pay for his house and his car."

Soles: "I cannot hear you, speak up."

Kevin: (Louder) "A young man named Allen Strickland - "

Soles: "Speak up."

Kevin: "Do you hear me, Senator?"

The phone then went dead. The station has been unable to reach Soles again.