Arson Suspected on West Fifth Street Fire | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Publisher's Note: From this second report, from Beaufort County Emergency Services' Coordinator John Pack, on the fire located on West 5th Street, it does appear that it was quite a serious fire, with a number of injuries to our county volunteer fire fighters. We wish our brave county volunteers a speedy recovery, and moreover, a grand thank-you for joining the fray, and fighting this fire to the protection of all.

   In regards to the suspicious nature of this rather large maelstrom of a fire, we wish godspeed in discovering its origins. Fires are dangerous, especially now with the Croatan Forest fire raging south of Beaufort County in the county of Craven.

   Press Release:

   On June 19th at approximately 8:48 p.m., the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received a report about a fire at Coastal Car Connection, 2016 West 5th Street in Washington. Fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the scene. Fire crews battled the blaze and were able to save some of the building and property at the business.

    The cause of the fire is considered suspicious at this time and is under investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at (252)946-7111.


   Major Kenneth L. Watson
     Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

       210 North Market Street
       Washington, N.C. 27889


   Press Release:

   Last night at approximately 9:22 pm there was a fire at Coastal Car Connections located at 2016 West 5th Street outside Washington. The fire was extremely hot and the structure is located within the Clarks Neck Fire District. Clarks Neck Fire, Washington Fire and Old Ford Fire fought the fire for over three hours and the site was secured by the Beaufort County Sheriff's office. The fire is suspicious in origin and an investigation began last night.

   We had six fire fighters injured and transported to Vidant Beaufort Hospital for treatment and evaluation. All were members of the Clarks Neck Fire Department and five sustained heat exhaustion and were treated and released. The sixth fire fighter fell through the roof of the building while searching out hot spots within the roof structure. He was not severely injured and was treated and released early this morning. He suffered pulled neck and back muscles with head impact and will be very sore for several days.

   We will be conducting an After Action Review of the incident in the near future. Having six fire fighters injured during one fire is highly unusual for any Fire Department in Beaufort County.

John Pack

   Coordinator
     Beaufort County Emergency Services