A large house under construction on Lake James burned to the ground early Friday, and investigators say the fire is suspicious.
Authorities said just days before someone tried to break into the home west of Morganton. It was the second break-in attempt in two weeks.
The 4,200-square-foot waterfront house was being built in the new Dry Creek at South Point subdivision as a vacation home for a Charlotte family. The house was nearly complete; crews had started to put up sheetrock.
IMAGES: Lake James Mansion Burns To The Ground"It was a house that was to be ready for a nice summer for the family, and that's not going to happen now," said builder Greg Hoff.
The lead fire investigator said there are still a lot of unanswered question about the Kalmia Drive blaze. But because the fire was so large and caused so much damage, fire investigators and sheriff's deputies will have to wait for the remains to cool down before they can go in and search for a cause.
The ruins remained smoldering for several hours after the fire.
Fire investigators said there was no power to the building. They plan on asking the State Bureau of Investigation to assist in the investigation.
Anyone with information should call the Burke County Sheriff's Office at (828) 438-5500.
