BESSEMER CITY, N.C. — An arsonist set fire to a Bessemer City home early Wednesday morning, police said.
Investigators found evidence at the scene that points to a deliberate attack on the local family.
The fire started in an outbuilding and flames spread a few yards to the house, investigators said.
Two people were asleep inside, and one man was about to go to sleep. Investigators said they had no idea that fire was bearing down on their home.
Cleveland Melton was in a state of disbelief when he spoke inside of the charred remains of his house.
"A lot of stuff (was) damaged," Melton said.
A neighbor captured cellphone video of smoke billowing from the home on Ohio Avenue.
The fire was set sometime around midnight, and the tires to the family's car were slashed, investigators said.
Melton’s wife was in the living room.
"She was sitting her in a lounge chair asleep," Melton said.
Their grandson, who is in his 20s, was already in bed.
Melton was just going to bed when a neighbor knocked on the door.
"When I came outside, my side building was burning," Melton said.
Everyone was able to escape before the fire spread to the home.
Three dogs also survived the fire.
Melton doesn’t know who would have set his garage on fire or why.
"We don't give our neighbors any trouble,” Melton said. “We didn't do anything as far as what you consider wrong."
Fire investigators said the family has no enemies and are working with police to find out what happened.
The Red Cross put the family in a motel for three days.
The family did not have insurance.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: