OVERNIGHT FIRE DESTROYS MILL
Investigation continuing into Southern Fiber fire

By Jon Mayhew

Video shot by Adam Diaz/TCS

CROUSE -- An overnight fire at Southern Fiber on South Grove Street Extension totally destroyed one of Lincoln County's last functioning mills.

Firefighters from eight departments spent hours battling the blaze that happened in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Crouse firefighters were assisted by Lincolnton; South Fork; Hughes Pond; North 321; Union; Denver and Howards Creek in battling the blaze.

More than 12 hours after firefighters were called to Southern Fiber Mill on South Grove Street Extension, smoke can be seen coming from the remains of the building. Photo by Adam Diaz/TCS

Authorities first thought a night watchman may not have made it out of the building at the time of the fire; however, investigators later said nobody was in the building at the time of the fire.

As of 1p.m. Sunday, the Lincoln County Fire Marshal's Office and detectives with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office were investigating the fire as possibly suspicious.

As investigators looked into the cause of the fire, smoke could be seen rising from the rubble. Firefighters were still dousing hotspots hours after the blaze.

Neighbors living next to Southern Fiber were told about 6:30 a.m. Sunday they may have to evacuate.

Joann Lenoard said she was quickly prepared to leave.

"I grabbed my computer and my Bible," said Leonard. "I was also going to take my dog and my babies with me."

Leonard said her driveway was blocked and she wasn't able to go to church.

"My dog barking startled me and my family to what was going on," said Leonard. "My whole yard was full of ashes. I'm glad the wind wasn't blowing like it was on Saturday."

Neighbor Tony Vance lives across from the mill and said at one point during the fire, the whole mill was ablaze.

Vance had been watching the fire since 5 a.m. Sunday and had spoken to one of the county detectives investigating the fire.

"He asked me if we heard or saw anything and what time we went to bed last night," said Vance.

At one point, Vance said the fire was so hot, one side of the metal building was Cherry red.

"I could see flames on the inside of the building through the wall," said Vance.

Fire Marshal Mike Futrell wasn't available for comment Sunday afternoon; however, neighbors report the last employee to leave the building was at about 6 p.m. Saturday.

Neighbors speculated on the cause of the fire.

"In my opinion, it may have been set," said Vance.