Authorities say they have fined a homeowner after a fire escaped a barrel and damaged multiple structures and a wooded area near Carthage on Tuesday, despite North Carolina’s burn ban.
The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. in the 200 block of Murdocksville Road when flames from a fire in a barrel got out of control, officials say. According to the N.C. Forestry Service, the fire spread to a wooded area, where an old barn structure was heavily damaged by the flames. Two other structures, a storage building and a mobile home, sustained minor fire damage before crews could bring the blaze under control.
Emergency responders were able to contain the fire before it spread further. Authorities have issued a fine to the homeowner for the uncontrolled burn, which violated the current burn ban in place due to dry conditions.
Officials are reminding residents that all open burning is prohibited under the ban and urge the public to take fire safety precautions to prevent further incidents.
A Moore County native who has spent more than 20 years telling stories across North Carolina and beyond. He’s worked with CNN, WRAL, and CBS 17, and now serves as a Video Journalist for ABC11. Patrick has a passion for breaking news and has earned multiple awards for his coverage. He’s also a certified NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter and was among the first news videographers in the state to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.
