An overnight fire in Cameron destroyed one structure, and damaged another, in what the Moore County Sheriff’s Office was arson.
Firefighters were dispatched to the 100 block of Chestnut Street just after 1 a.m. on Monday. When they arrived, one structure was fully engulfed in flames. Crews also had to deal with a downed power line in front of the structure. It took approximately 30 minutes for the fire to be knocked down. A house next to the first structure had heat damage to its vinyl siding.
Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters were able to confirm the building appeared to be abandoned, and no one was in it at the time of the fire. The damaged house next door was also vacant.
According to a press release by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, a witness reported seeing a person, identified as Ernest Junior Belk, 60, of Cameron, near the scene around the time of the fire and “later observed him boasting about setting the fire.” The MCSO also says that when Belk was questioned by law enforcement, he admitted to starting the blaze. Investigators are still working to determine a motive.
Belk has been charged with one count of felony second-degree arson and one count of burning an unoccupied building. He was placed at the Moore County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is set for Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
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.