S.C. Code Ann. § 5-25-180: Fee for inquiry; from whom derived.

An inspector of buildings shall be entitled to a fee of three dollars for making any such inquiry, such fee to be taxed against the person owning the property burned, if the fire was caused by faulty construction or negligence of the owner; but in case the inspector shall conclude that the fire was due to lack of proper care on the part of the occupant of the house in which the fire occurred, the fee shall be paid by the occupant, except that, upon affidavit made that the occupant is in indigent circumstance and is unable to pay the fee, it shall be paid by the municipality within the limits of which the fire occurred or, if it shall have been without the limits of the municipality, the fee shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal out of funds available for this purpose. And when the fire originated from accidental causes the fee shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal out of funds available for this purpose.