Boone Police and firefighters responded to the store on Blowing Rock Road on October 25th after a call indicating smoke in the building. Empty cardboard boxes stacked in a loading area had been ignited. The fire caused damage to the store’s vinyl siding.
Video evidence led investigators to identify 38-year-old Jessie Clyde Bare, of Lenoir, as the suspect. He has been charged with felony arson and released on a secured bond of $35,000. A December 17th court date is scheduled in Boone.
Photo: Boone Police Department