News Summary
A 41-year-old man has been arrested in Chicago related to an intentional fire and explosion at his home in Dilworth, Charlotte. The incident caused major damages and two minor injuries but no fatalities. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and invite anyone with information to come forward. The suspect is expected to be extradited back to North Carolina for further proceedings.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Michael Edward Barnette, a 41-year-old man, has been arrested in Chicago, Illinois, as a fugitive in connection with an explosion and intentional fire at his home in Dilworth. He was taken into custody on May 10 and is currently being held at the Cook County Jail, with specifics regarding bond and charges still unavailable. Following his arrest, Barnette is slated to be extradited back to North Carolina.
The explosion occurred early on May 2, when emergency responders arrived to find Barnette’s home on Lombardi Circle “fully involved” in flames. The blaze and accompanying smoke were visible from a distance of at least one mile. Initial investigations by the Charlotte Fire Department revealed that the fire was intentionally set, resulting in damages estimated at around $445,000, which includes both property and content loss. Additionally, two neighboring houses suffered damage due to the explosion.
In the incident, two individuals suffered minor injuries, including a firefighter and a neighbor, but neither required hospitalization. Remarkably, no one was inside Barnette’s residence at the time of the explosion. Neighborhood witnesses described the blast as being so powerful that it knocked nearby homes off their foundations. Many reported hearing a tremendous boom just before witnessing the house engulfed in flames.
Over 60 firefighters from the Charlotte Fire Department responded to the scene and worked tirelessly for just over an hour to bring the fire under control. Although the origins and precise cause of the explosion are still under investigation, authorities are appealing to the public for information regarding the case. Anyone with details is urged to contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Barnette has a history with the property, having purchased the residence in 2012, according to Mecklenburg County property records. Subsequently, the situation has raised grave concerns in the community regarding safety and security in the neighborhood.
The investigation into this incident continues, and authorities are determined to bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding the explosion and fire. The timely apprehension of Barnette is seen as a crucial step towards resolution.
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Additional Resources
- WSOC TV
- Charlotte Observer
- WBTV
- WCNC
- WCCB Charlotte
- Wikipedia: Fugitive
- Google Search: Dilworth explosion arrest
- Google Scholar: arson investigation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: explosion
- Google News: Dilworth home explosion
