Authorities seek public's help in suspected arson

By Richelle Bailey | The McDowell News

Published: December 7, 2009

Investigators need the public's help locating the person responsible for setting an outbuilding ablaze Sunday afternoon and, in the process, possibly sending a man's livelihood up in flames.
Carl Hicks McPeters Jr. of Roan Mountain, Tenn. reported at 2:30 p.m. that someone destroyed an outbuilding on property he owns at 479 Chisholm Trail off Goose Creek Road, according to a report by Deputy G.T. Stevenson of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
McPeters, a Christmas tree farmer, was working in South Carolina Sunday, when a neighbor of the McDowell County property called him and told him the shed had burned.
Detective Kevin Fineberg said the blaze was not accidental.
"It was definitely arson," he stated. "He lost a four-wheeler and a lot of the tools he uses for work."
Damage to the building and its contents was estimated at $15,000.
Anyone with information about the fire or the suspect is asked to call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 652-4000 or McDowell County Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME. With Crimestoppers, your identity remains anonymous, and you could receive a cash reward.