Home Local News Fire at East Rockingham home with no power deemed ‘suspicious’

Fire at East Rockingham home with no power deemed ‘suspicious’

The cause of a fire in East Rockingham is still under investigation, as officials say no one was home and there was no power going to it.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer

EAST ROCKINGHAM — A late-night fire has been deemed suspicious by fire and law enforcement officials.

The East Rockingham Fire Department responded to a fire at a home on Greenlawn Drive, off of Patterson Street, around 12:45 a.m. Sunday, according to Chief Mitchell Watson.

Watson said fire was shooting out of all windows and doors when crews arrived on the scene.

Neighbors told firefighters that they suspected the home of being used to manufacture methamphetamine, Watson said, so crews proceeded with caution.

Cordova Fire and Rescue also responded as mutual aid.

Watson said there were several adults, ranging in age from 28-62, living in the home with no electricity. They were using a generator to supply power.

The residents told fire officials that they had come home earlier to find a bed on fire in one of the rooms but were able to remove a burning mattress and extinguish the flames, according to Watson.

The fire department was not called for that incident.

However, they left and returned home within the hour to find the entire structure on fire, Watson said.

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The chief believes the fire started in that same bedroom and extended into the attic, causing a lot of heat and fire damage and resulting in a total loss.

There were no injuries sustained by the residents or fire crews.

At this time, Watson said there is no evidence of a meth lab, but the case is still under investigation with assistance from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

 



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Managing Editor William R. Toler is an award-winning writer and photographer with experience in print, television and online media.