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Ten Firefighters Accused Of Setting Blazes In Eastern North Carolina

Robeson County Sheriff Ken Sealey says the firefighters were from the Fairmont Rural and Orrum fire departments near Lumberton. Credit - Eddie Garcia/WFDD

The volunteer firefighters allegedly set abandoned buildings and woods ablaze over an 18 month period.

In a statement, Robeson County Sheriff Ken Sealey says the firefighters were from the Fairmont Rural and Orrum fire departments near Lumberton, and were involved in a conspiracy to set the fires.

The investigation currently has about 90 arson-related charges. And according to the sheriff, there's more to come.

Among those arrested were a former police officer, and a North Carolina Department of Corrections officer.

At this time none of the charged have been identified, and no motive has been released.

Bail for the former police officer and corrections officer is set at $200,000. Bail for the others is $100,000.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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