Andrews – State arson investigators are working a suspicious commercial fire that destroyed offices for two businesses in town on July 23.
Higdon Construction at 52 Robbinsville Road and an adjacent building housing Bateman Trucking’s office were destroyed during the early morning fire. Higdon Construction is owned by David and Meredith Higdon, while Bateman Trucking is owned by the Higdons’ daughter, Cynthia Bateman, and her husband, James Bateman.
The fire was reported at 4:49 a.m. July 23 and controlled at 6:30 a.m. The fire is being classified as an “incendiary fire” and suspicious in nature.
The trucking company occupied David Higdon’s childhood home, Meredith Higdon said. That building was destroyed.
The Higdon Construction building’s roof caught fire and collapsed during firefighting efforts, covering the offices with roof debris and water. Craven County tax records list the value of the destroyed buildings at $263,250.
The family spent much of last week sifting through the ruins to recover business files and other belongings, Meredith Higdon said. Higdon Construction has been at the location for more than 50 years and was started by David Higdon’s father, Charles Higdon, around 1951.
The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation sent arson experts with a specially trained dog later the day of the fire. The agents spent hours sifting through the two buildings looking for evidence.
Initial response to the fire was from Valleytown Fire & Rescue and other surrounding volunteer fire departments. According to Valleytown Chief Jason Hyde, “On July 23, 2023, at 4:49:36 a.m., the Cherokee County E-911 Communications center received multiple 911 calls in reference to a commercial structure fire located at 52 Robbinsville Road (Higdon Construction) in Andrews.
“At 4:52:05 a.m. Valleytown Fire & Rescue was dispatched to respond along with Peachtree Fire and Murphy Fire departments as automatic aid. The first units arrived on scene at 4:55:52 a.m. and found a block structure that was attached to a double wide mobile home office fully involved with heavy flames and smoke showing from the exterior.
“Engine 306 arrived on scene at 5:01:00 a.m. Fire lines were pulled, and the initial attack was made with Tower 30 arriving at 5:06:00 a.m. Engine 30 arrived at 5:11:10 a.m. and laid in a supply line from a nearby hydrant located on Robbinsville Road. During the fire attack operation, the fire quickly spread into the office unit, which counted for the second structure.”
The scene was secured by the Andrews Police Department until SBI agents arrived.
Hyde thanked Cherokee County E-911 Communications, the Andrews Police Department, Peachtree Fire Department, Murphy Fire Department, Cherokee County Emergency Services and SBI for their assistance. Anyone with information about the fire can contact Valleytown Fire & Rescue at 828-321-3707 or email valleytownfireandrescue@yahoo.com.