Morganton fire investigators give updates on two local blazes
Alray Tire Center has temporarily moved to 2107 S. Sterling St., across from Zaxby’s in Morganton.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Morganton Public Safety fire personnel responded to the fire at Alray Tire on Carbon City Road.
Investigators now know what caused the fire at Alray Tire Center in Morganton that has caused the business to have to relocate.
Lt. Nick Edwards, of the Morganton Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division, reported on Tuesday, Nov. 19, that investigators have determined the cause and will be releasing information to the public soon. The fire was set outside of the building.
Alray Tire Center will serve customers at a temporary location while the burned building is restored.
The tire center is now operating at its new temporary location at 2107 S. Sterling St., across from Zaxby’s. The building was the former EZ Way Auto shop.
“We are running our normal hours and look forward to seeing everyone after a week and a half of help from the crew to make this thing possible. All of our usual staff will be working, and we look forward to this next chapter while we rebuild at 226 Carbon City Road,” a spokesman for the center said.
The fire that destroyed the building happened on Wednesday, Oct. 23, around 6 p.m. Morganton Public Safety fire personnel responded to the fire that spread throughout the structure within minutes. The fire took several hours to control.
Alray Tire Center’s hours at the temporary location are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.
FoxBuilt fire investigation inactive
The fire investigation of the FoxBuilt Construction building on West Union is inactive at this time.
Morganton Public Safety’s Edwards confirmed that the investigators have exhausted leads, but said, they can “reopen it at any time if we get further information.”
Regarding the building, the city’s Public Information Officer, Jonelle Sigmon, reported that a demolition permit was issued Oct. 31. This gives Larry Wendell Fox, owner of FoxBuilt, 12 months for whatever his plans are and to demolish the building.
If no inspections are requested after six months, the permit expires. If the work has started but had stopped for 12 months since the last inspection date, the permit expires.
The investigation began with the mysterious fire at the 818 W. Union St. building on Jan. 31. Authorities have previously named one person of interest, the owner Fox. The State Bureau of Investigations also assisted in the investigation.
“Fox is the only person of interest in this case because he is the only one identified through the investigation who had the means, motive, and opportunity, and would benefit from an insurance payout based on the fire insurance he had on the building,” according to a Feb. 5 search warrant document.
For an in-depth look at the history of this case, you can read past coverage titled “Local construction owner under investigation for arson” at www.thepaper.media.
Saydie Bean may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2011, or saydie@thepaper.media.
