EAST SPENCER, N.C. — Community members in Rowan County said they're not satisfied with the investigation into a fire that destroyed a community staple in East Spencer.
Leaders told Channel 9 they know someone set the fire, but they can't tell if it was accidental or set with malicious intent.
For Phronice Johnson, the Dunbar Center holds years of memories. She went to school at the center from first through 11th grade and can't believe someone set it on fire last week.
PHOTOS: Crews respond to 2-alarm fire in east Spencer
"It was just sentimental. All of my life, I've known Dunbar. That building was like the pillar of the city for all of us who went there," Johnson said.
The community staple sits in ruins.
In a press conference Tuesday, East Spencer leaders said they know someone or several people started it on the north side of the building, but they don't know why.
"At this point in the investigation, the intent of the fire cannot be proven," said Rowan County fire investigator Deborah Horne.
The fire chief said the building has been a target for vandals in the past. Channel 9 found graffiti in several parts of the building.
Leaders said when it comes to the fire, there's not enough evidence to identify a specific person or group of people
It's why investigators are not calling the case arson. They said the building wasn't locked, so they have no idea who may have been using it, but say they did find clothing inside.
Channel 9 was there as 75 firefighters spent hours working to contain the five alarm fire last Tuesday.
Since then, leaders worked with the State Bureau of Investigation to figure out a cause but Eyewitness News learned they don't have one.
For Johnson, that's frustrating.
"I don't have answers, and I would just like to know why. I don't believe someone was living in that building. I really don't," Johnson said.
Built in the 1950s, the Dunbar Center was once a junior high school and community center. The building has been vacant since 2006, but the mayor said ideas were in the works to restore it before it burned.
She hopes the community will come together to make that happen.
"That was an anchor in our community, and we need to keep that, whether it's that building or something else," Mayor Barbara Mallet said.
"I would love to have something put there so they could come back to it," Johnson said.
The fire at the building remains under investigation. Channel 9 was told it could stay that way for months.
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