ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — A 22-year-old man and three teens were charged with arson following a house fire and a Culp Weaving mill fire, both in Alamance County.
Investigators said they got an anonymous tip that 22-year-old Wayland Heath Phillips was possibly involved in the Culp Weaving Mill fire in Graham on Nov. 12. The fire prompted neighborhood evacuations and ravaged the mill to shambles.
Investigators conducted interviews, search warrants, and additional investigative measures which led to Phillips' arrest for his involvement in the Culp Weaving fire and a Nov. 13 house fire on Apple Blossom Lane in the Green Level community.
They also learned that three teens, ages 13, 14, and 15, were also involved in both fires. Investigators shared this information with the Graham Police Department who also brought charges against the suspects.
Alamance Co. Sheriff Terry Johnson said the sites are too dangerous to get inside, but the suspects did admit to where the fires started.
Phillips was charged with felony burning certain buildings and felony breaking and entering in the Green Level fire. He faces the same charges in the mill fire. He's in jail on a $100,000 secured bond.
The three juveniles face felony burning and certain building charges in the Green Level house fire at this time.
Investigators are also looking into the Carolina Mill fire that happened November 25. They said it's still too dangerous to investigate the site of the fire, and they have yet to identify suspects connected to this fire. There is a $2,000 reward for information regarding the Carolina Mill fire that leads to an arrest.
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