LAURINBURG — Police say an arsonist may have started a fire last week on Douglas Street.

“(Firefighters) advised that the structure was not actually engulfed but that there had been a fire on the inside,” said LPD Captain Chris Young.

Police are unsure when the fire occurred because the tenant had been out of town.

“A neighbor looked at the house and saw that the windows were blackened, investigated and saw that there had been a fire inside,” Young said.

Investigators located an ignition source they believe to be deliberately placed.

The interior of the home and the tenant’s belongings sustained $40,000 in damages, officials said.

By Beth Lawrence

Staff reporter

Reach Beth Lawrence 910-506-3169