Apparent arson at Research Station costs thousands

  • Posted: Friday, January 11, 2013 3:02 p.m.
Kelly Snider, crops manager at the Piedmont Research Station on Sherrills Ford Road, looks down at smoldering hay and damaged farm equipment Friday morning following an apparent arson of two storage buildings. Photo by Nathan Hardin/Salisbury Post.
Kelly Snider, crops manager at the Piedmont Research Station on Sherrills Ford Road, looks down at smoldering hay and damaged farm equipment Friday morning following an apparent arson of two storage buildings. Photo by Nathan Hardin/Salisbury Post.

SALISBURY — Investigators are searching for clues in an apparent arson of two sheds at the Piedmont Research Station on Sherrills Ford Road Thursday night.

Authorities said the fire was discovered about 11:30 p.m. No livestock or research was destroyed, but the facility lost thousands in equipment, including a tractor and a feed distribution truck.


Bundles of hay were also destroyed in the fire. The hay was stored at the poultry facility, where the fire began, but was used as feed for the dairy facility.

A Rowan County deputy on the scene Friday said several other buildings had been discovered broken into during the investigation.

Whether accidental or intentional, authorities believe the fire was set by an intruder.

Check Saturday’s Salisbury Post for more information.

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