Investigation underway after fire intentionally set in park restroom

Emergency crews responded to a fire that was intentionally set at the Southern Pines Downtown Park’s restroom on Sunday evening after a bystander reported heavy smoke coming from the building. The call came in shortly after 9:30 p.m. and resulted in a quick response from local first responders. 

According to officials, firefighters arrived to find thick black smoke pouring from behind the door of the men’s restroom on S. Ashe Street. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the flames and successfully contained the damage to the interior of the restroom.

The town said it will set up a temporary portable toilet while the bathroom is being repaired. The women’s restroom is open. 

If you have any information that might help determine who set this, please contact the Southern Pines Police Department at 910-692-2732.

Feature photo via Town of Southern Pines.

~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Publisher B.J. Goodridge.

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