Jan. 23--Three people who were displaced after a roommate allegedly set fire to their house Sunday night are "desperately" looking for a place to live, one of them said Monday.
"I'm calling everyone on the (Red Cross) disaster referral list," Stephen Bailey said.
Meanwhile, a warrant has been issued charging 60-year-old Billy Dale Walker with first-degree arson in the fire at 2008 Powell St. in the Massey Hill neighborhood.
Authorities are looking for Walker, who was injured in the fire and required treatment at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, according to Gavin MacRoberts, a Fayetteville police spokesman.
Walker left the hospital before police were able to serve the warrant on him, MacRoberts said.
Five people lived at the residence that was set up like a boarding house, said Bailey, who is 62.
The occupants, in addition to Bailey and Walker, were identified as Gary Ransom, 58, and his wife, 60-year-old Hilda Ransom.
A fifth resident, Michael Gillette, 24, was not home at the time, according to police.
An argument between the residents is what police said led to the fire, MacRoberts said.
Bailey said the argument began when Walker was asked to lower the volume on his stereo.
"He got all huffy and stormed off," Bailey said.
Walker went across the street and asked a neighbor to go to the store, according to Bailey.
When the neighbor said no, Walker then threatened to go back to the rental house and set it on fire, Bailey said.
Police said their investigation confirmed Bailey's account.
About 10 p.m., a neighbor spotted flames coming from the house, according to Tommy McMillan, a battalion commander with the Fayetteville Fire Department.
The neighbor pounded on the back of the house to alert the occupants, McMillan said.
"If it wasn't for the people across the street, we wouldn't have known," Bailey said.
Walker was in the house but told no one that it was burning, Bailey said.
"I chased around and caught my cat, and we piled out of there as quickly as we could," Bailey said.
When firefighters arrived, flames were visible at the front of the one-story, wood-frame structure, McMillan said. They were on the scene for about three hours, he said.
No other injuries were reported, McMillan said.
The Red Cross is providing shelter for Bailey and the Ransoms as they look for somewhere to live.
The owners of the property, valued at $28,000, are Dennis Craig Williams and his wife, Lynn, according to Cumberland County tax records. The owner is helping in the search, Bailey said.
Gillette is staying with family members, according to MacRoberts.
Anyone with information about Walker's whereabouts should call police at 433-1856 or CrimeStoppers at 433-TIPS (8477).
Staff writer Nancy McCleary can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3568.
Copyright 2012 - The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.
