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Volunteer firefighters charged with setting fires

Two Stanhope Volunteer Fire Department firefighters face charges in a string of fires set in abandoned buildings, authorities said.

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Christopher Averette, volunteer fireman charged with arson
BAILEY, N.C. — Two Stanhope Volunteer Fire Department firefighters face charges in a string of fires set in abandoned buildings, authorities said Tuesday.

Christopher Lee Averette, 23, of Winters Road in Bailey, was charged with four counts of burning certain buildings. The charges stem from a Dec. 21 fire of an abandoned farmhouse on Frazier Road, a Dec. 7 fire at 4686 W. Hornes Church Road, an April 12 fire at Stone Whitley Road and a Jan. 6, 2008, fire at 6358 Squirrel Den Road, authorities said.

Christopher Finch, 20, of Christian Road in Wilson, was charged with one count of burning certain buildings. The charge stems from the Dec. 21 fire.

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