Two cars caught on fire in Carthage just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Authorities were called to the county parking lot by the courthouse on McReynolds Street.
No one was in the cars when the blaze broke out. The fire started in a Subaru and quickly spread to a Ford Escape. More cars would have been involved in the fire, but the owner of a Toyota noticed the fire and quickly moved their vehicle to stop the spread.
“It definitely could have been all four,” said Carthage Fire and Rescue Chief Tyner.
Both vehicles appear to be a total loss. The buildings next to the vehicles were not damaged.
Firefighters had to use foam to contain the fuel fire from the vehicles. Carthage Public Works brought in a load of dirt to block and assist in drying up fuel. According to Tyner, the EPA may have to be called due to the large amount of fuel.
The fire is under investigation by the Carthage Police Department, and the county fire marshal was notified and responded to the scene. There was a large police presence at the scene, but foul play was not suspected.
Moore County Sheriff’s Department assisted with closing McReynolds Street and diverting traffic down Clark Street and Ray Street.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self.
