Harnett County Woman and Grandson Perish in Fire

The fire, which began right after dawn, swept through the bedroom wherethe two had been sleeping. J.R. Edwards, a sheriff's deputy, spotted theflames while driving to work around 6:15 a.m. It took about 14 minutesfor the Dunn Fire Department to arrive, but the fire was contained to thefront left bedroom of the house and the attic area above.

The fire has been ruled an arson. Firefighters found evidence of the useof gasoline or some other accelerant used to start the fire. Threepeople have been arrested in connection with the fire.

Robbie Brewington, 33, grandson and uncle of the victims; hisgirlfriend, Vera Sue Lee, 19, and a friend of the two have been chargedwith first degree murder, arson, conspiracy to commit murder and firstdegree burglary.

Police say all three have confessed to starting the fire and thatBrewington's motive was his desire to collect his grandmother's insurancemoney. The sheriff believes the grandmother may have been stabbed todeath, and that both victims may have died before the fire wasstarted.