Executive Summary
- Larry Ezella Baldwin, 53, was arrested for arson and breaking and entering.
- Surveillance video allegedly shows the suspect pouring accelerant on firewood.
- This marks the second suspicious fire at Blue Sky Family Feed in one month.
- Baldwin is held on a $20,000 secured bond with a court date set for Feb. 20.
Authorities in Cumberland County have arrested a Fayetteville man in connection with an arson investigation following a fire at a commercial establishment late Thursday night. According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a fire at Blue Sky Family Feed, marking the second suspicious incident at the location this month.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the front door of the business had been breached. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage which allegedly depicted a male subject entering the store, pouring an ignitable liquid onto a pallet of firewood, and subsequently leaving the premises. Authorities confirmed that no animals were harmed during the incident.
Deputies identified and arrested 53-year-old Larry Ezella Baldwin of Fayetteville. Baldwin has been charged with burning an unoccupied commercial structure, breaking and entering, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was processed at the Cumberland County Detention Center where he is being held under a $20,000 secured bond. His court appearance is scheduled for February 20.
Investigative Outlook
The recurrence of suspicious fires at this specific location within a single month suggests a targeted pattern that local fire investigators are closely monitoring. The rapid identification of a suspect may mitigate immediate risks, but the investigation by the Fire Investigation Unit remains critical to determining if these incidents are isolated or indicative of broader malicious intent against the property.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
