Vance County deputies investigate string of arsons

John Fisher, 79, spent decades collecting items in a shed that he built himself. After a fire destroyed it all, he feels helpless.

"Everything is destroyed. Everything," he said.

Fisher woke up one morning last month to find it all on fire.

"And in 30 minutes it was all gone. Just like that," he said.

The sheriff's office said Fisher's loss is one of seven arsons in a week. Four sheds and three smaller properties were destroyed.

Fisher estimates the damage to be about $20,000. The fire destroyed his shop where he ran his business.

"I fix people's lawnmowers and stuff like that. I even had a couple lawnmowers that belonged to people here," he said.

The night before Fisher's shed was burned, a shed belonging to the I Believe in God Outreach Church was also destroyed. The damage was about $10,000.

The church's founder and pastor, Carolyn Faines, said she hopes the person responsible will learn a lesson.

"It was very hurtful," she said. "We want the outcome to be good. Turn yourself in, so you can get some help."

Fisher hopes whoever is responsible is punished.

"I just hope they catch them and make them pay," he said.

Both victims have insurance, but Fisher's will only cover about half the cost.