$1.7M in National Guard armored vehicles torched

ASHEVILLE – Arson investigators are probing a suspicious fire that occurred early Tuesday morning at the Armed Forces National Guard Armory, leaving two armored vehicles valued at $1.7 million destroyed.

"They appeared to be (total losses)," said Asheville Fire Department Battalion Chief Larry Morrow. "The fire was in the rear of both vehicles."

The fire occurred shortly after 3 a.m. at the armory, 100 Minuteman Drive, north of Asheville. The armored multipurpose vehicles, used for transporting troops, are valued at $850,000 apiece, Morrow said.

The Asheville-Buncombe Arson Task Force is investigating the blaze, which drew two engine trucks and one tanker, Morrow said.

"We got it under control in about 15 minutes," he said. "The reason it took so long is it was hard to get into some of the compartments (of the vehicles)."

The vehicles were parked outside the armory in a fenced area. No one was hurt in the incident.

Footprints were found near the site of the fire, Morrow said.

Arson Investigator David Cutshall said this morning their investigation is continuing but they had no further details to release.

North Carolina National Guard spokesman Capt. Matthew Boyle said this morning the guard "will assist law enforcement in this investigation, if requested."

"This vandalism has not affected the operation of this maintenance facility," Boyle said. "We are operational and always ready to support our fellow guardsmen and the state of North Carolina."

The two vehicles were "severely damaged," he said, although the extent of the damage "is not known at this time."