An old barn and an abandoned house burned over the weekend in Johnston County, the latest in a string of suspicious fires in the southern end of the county.
Seventeen buildings have burned under suspicious circumstances since April 3, according to sheriff's spokeswoman Tammy Amaon.
The latest fire occurred at 707 Yelverton Grove Road just before 11:30 p.m. Sunday, authorities said. Pine Level, Smithfield and Brogden firefighters responded, but the abandoned home, which had no power, was fully engulfed when they arrived, authorities said.
Earlier, an abandoned barn in the 100 block of Cuddington Road burned to the ground, Amaon said. Fire crews responded to that fire just after 7 a.m. Saturday.
Most of the fires have been abandoned barns, houses or mobile homes, she said. The two exceptions are the June 19 fire at Tetrick's T & W Machine and Welding Shop on Mallard Road, and the Aug. 2 fire at the Nu 2U Consignment shop next door.
Authorities continue to investigate and have offered a $2,500 reward. Amaon said anyone with information should call the sheriff's department at 989-5000.
