Man charged with impersonating firefighter

Hope Mills, N.C. — Cumberland County arson investigators on Thursday charged a Hope Mills man with impersonating a firefighter.

Malcolm Thompson, 17, of 2410 John Smith Road, was at the scene of a Dec. 17 fire that destroyed the clubhouse at Fantasy Lake Water Park, authorities said.

Firefighters told investigators Thompson was impeding their efforts to control the fire by questioning them about fire-suppression activities. Authorities said he also was dressed in firefighter turnout gear and attempted to assist in the firefighting effort.

The State Bureau of Investigation ruled that the fire was set. No charges have been filed in the case.