A Maxton man has been charged with burning the home of his girlfriend, according to Robeson County sheriff’s Lt. Detective Brian Duckworth.

Christopher Lee Hunt, 34, of 338 Old Baker Road, faces a charge of second-degree arson. He is accused of burning the home of Amy Locklear, 52, of Back Swamp Road, on Wednesday, Duckworth said.

The report said Hunt had made several phone calls to Locklear instructing her to go to her home, which she was moving out of, on Back Swamp Road, and she would have a “surprise” waiting for her.

Someone called authorities about the fire at 3:26 a.m., and firefighters and sheriff’s deputies arrived soon afterward. Lawmen found Hunt and he appeared to be intoxicated, Duckworth said. Hunt was initially charged with violating a domestic violence protection order, and was processed and remained in custody at Robeson County jail under no bond.

Duckworth said Hunt was unable to appear before a judge Wednesday morning because he was still intoxicated, but appeared in court Thursday morning on the domestic violence charge and remained in custody under a secured bond of $2,500.

Hunt was later charged with arson and remains jailed under a secured bond of $50,000.

The house is owned by Gerald and Andrea Thompson, who live out of state, and it is rented, according to Duckworth. He said all that was left of the home, which was valued at $50,000, were some outside bricks and masonry work.