Brogden Fire Ruled Suspicious

A fire that burned a barn in the Brogden community east of Smithfield Monday night is being treated as suspicious.

Crews responded to the blaze on Neuse Bend Road off Grabtown Road just after 8:00pm.

A witness told deputies they saw the barn on fire and called 911. Before the Brogden Fire Department arrived on the scene the witness reported hearing two loud explosions inside the barn and saw a suspicious vehicle speeding away from the area.

Johnston County Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Caldwell confirmed to WTSB News the fire is being treated as suspicious and could be drug-related. Captain Caldwell said the investigation has been turned over to the Narcotics Division.