Staff report
A fire destroyed an outbuilding and its contents Saturday night at 555 Redleaf Lane in China Grove. The listed owner is Paul Michael Hughes.
According to Assistant Fire Marshal Kevin Holshouser, Hughes said the fire started in a pipe attached to a wood stove in the building. The pipe caught fire, causing the wall to catch fire as well.
According to a neighbor, Hughes spent a lot of time in the building, which was also an auto shop, full of tools and motor parts.
Fire departments responding were Landis, Bostian Heights and Mount Mitchell. Duke Energy also sent a representative to check on the power lines.
The homeowner and others on the scene declined to speak to a reporter.