The Kinston Fire Department received the call at 5:40 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, that two pallets of firewood were burning at the Food Lion, located at 2410 N. Herritage St., just outside the left entrance.
KFD Chief Damien Locklear said the store’s sprinkler system activated on the outside and firefighters were able to extinguish the flames. He said no firefighters were injured and the store was not open at the time.
“There was an individual in the parking area,” Locklear said. “The person is (in custody) with the KPD and we cannot release a name or age.”
The Kinston Police Department said a juvenile male is in custody in regards to the arson case, but the KPD was unable to release the juvenile’s motive for setting the pallets of wood on fire due to a joint investigation between the police and the fire department.
The Free Press was unable to reach Food Lion’s corporate office for comments.
