ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 11, 1996 TAG: 9603110058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARY BISHOP STAFF WRITER
Arson is suspected in fires that destroyed three vacant houses and an old cannery Sunday morning in northern Bedford County.
"Lots of local history was destroyed," especially the former cannery on Virginia 638, said Lt. John McCane of the Bedford County Sheriff's Office.
McCane estimated damage to the four structures at a total of $40,000. There were no injuries.
He said calls about the fires began around 5 a.m. and continued until after 8 a.m. Judging by the order of calls, he said, the arsonist may have taken a circular path - possibly beginning at a house on Virginia 651 near the Eagle Eyrie Baptist camp, then to another house on Virginia 638 near Boonsboro, then to the cannery, and on to a house on Virginia 672 near Big Island.
The last house was the only one still furnished. McCane said its owner is believed to be living in a nursing home. He said the cannery probably was the oldest building among the four structures and contained equipment once used to can vegetables.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information that might help in its investigation to call the department at 586-7827 or the crime line at 586-9411.
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