A South Carolina cop set his ex-girlfriend's house on fire -- with her kids inside of it

A South Carolina deputy has been terminated after setting his ex-girlfriend's home on fire, reported Greenville online.

Dylan Ellis, 22, was charged with four counts of attempted murder and arson.

Ellis started the fire late in the night while four members of the family where present sleeping. Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said that the family was able to make it out alive, and are doing ok.

"Smoke detectors actually saved this family's life, by the grace of God," Wright said.

Ellis admitted to investigators that he started the fire. Ellis was working at the Sheriff's Office for a little over a year and had no record of wrongdoing.