IFN Staff

An Alexander County man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire at the Pilot Travel Center near Troutman following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Richard Allan Ferguson, 47, of Isenhour Park Road Ext, Taylorsville, in a news release. 

ICSO deputies responded to assist the Troutman Fire Department in the early morning hours of January 14 after receiving a report of a fire inside the Pilot Travel Center, located at 1006 Charlotte Highway near Troutman.

When deputies arrived, firefighters had already extinguished and contained the fire, which had originated inside the men’s restroom, Campbell said.

Deputies immediately began an investigation alongside the Fire Marshal’s Office to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Evidence at the scene indicated the fire had originated in a bathroom stall within the men’s restroom and had been intentionally set, according to the news release.

The case was assigned to ICSO Detective Lt. D. Clodfelter, who continued a parallel investigation along with the Fire Marshal’s Office.

As part of the investigation, detectives examined evidence recovered from the scene, which included video surveillance footage. After Ferguson was identified as the suspect, investigators developed sufficient evidence to charge Ferguson, Campbell said.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Ferguson for Felony Burning of a Commercial Structure While Occupied on March 12. Ferguson was located in Alexander County and taken into custody on the outstanding warrant.

Ferguson appeared before Magistrate Gant in Alexander County and was issued a $150,000 secured bond. He was then transferred to Iredell County Detention Center.