May 24, 2013
Two separate unrelated house fires in Pitt County have been ruled as arson. They're located less than 20 miles apart and were set in a span of one hour and 20 minutes. The first blaze happened at a home located on the corner of Clayton Circle and Teresa Drive in the Clark's s Neck area of Washington. Pitt County fire officials say the blaze was intentionally set just before three Tuesday morning. No one was home at the time. Just over an hour later fire fighters were then called a home located on Oakley Road in Stokes. Authorities say this fire was set following an argument between occupants of the home. Investigators have arrested 21-year-old Marlon Bryan Hardee in the Stokes fire. He's accused of using an accelerant to start the fire following an argument with another occupant. He is currently being held by the Pitt County's sheriff's office and could face first degree arson charges and four counts of attempted murder.
