Authorities: Rougemont man tried to set Bahama house on fire

Connie Huff Blanchard, 65,of 5123 Bahama Road, was charged with first-degree arson and attempted first-degree murder. He was being held in the Durham County jail under a $1 million bond.

Deputies responded to a home in the 11000 block of Wilkins Road in Bahama at about 11 p.m. Tuesday after the homeowner, James Mangum, called to report someone trying to set his house on fire.

Mangum told the deputies that he was inside his home and smelled smoke. When he went outside to investigate, he said, he found Blanchard using a blow torch to set the house ablaze. He said he fought Blanchard over control of the blow torch, and Blanchard fled.

The two men know each other, authorities said, but the motive for the crime remains under investigation.

Deputies arrested Blanchard at his home, and paramedics treated him for injuries he suffered in the fight, authorities said.

Mangum hasn't been charged in connection with his fight with Blanchard, authorities said.