By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — A report of a vacant structure on fire on Monday morning turned out to be a controlled burn aimed at sparking romance between two teens.
An 18-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl who met online used the home in the 600 block of Rockingham Road — a few doors down from Rockingham City Hall — as a private place to meet in person. The two set a fire in the fireplace and an alert neighbor, knowing the home was vacant, called 911 at about 9:21 a.m.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Personnel with the Rockingham Police and Rockingham Fire departments discuss the situation of an 18-year-old man and 15-year-old girl who met online and used a vacant home to meet in person.
The two initially told first-responders they were 17 and 16 and that they were using the fire to get warm. The mother, who was escorted to the scene by Rockingham police officers, thought her daughter was in school.
Personnel with the Rockingham Fire Department and the Rockingham Police Department responded.
It was not immediately clear if the two forced their way into the home, which has been vacant for at least a year, according to neighbors. It was also unknown if the man faced any charges.
Stay tuned to PeeDeePost.com for updates.
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