Asheville News

In the WLOS news: Spruce Pine gutted by fire, I-40 wrecks and festivals

Jason Sandford August 5, 2007

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Kassandra Pride led off the six with an odd and bumbling report about more buildings burning down in Spruce Pine. The news opened with scenes of gutted buildings and firemen on the streets, and a couple of quotes from people, with some sort of foreboding orchestra music in the background.

What is this, Virginia Tech all over again? No, cause we cut to Special K, who says the mayor has declared a state of emergency in the town and a curfew. Then she mumbled some other stuff, so we couldn’t tell what was going on.

Toward the end of the newscast, anchor Russ Bowen went back to Kassandra, who explained that three businesses and a church burned early Saturday morning, then three more buildings burned Sunday. She said the SBI and the ATF were in town, investigating what they were calling a crime scene.

In other news, a truck and a motorcycle wrecked on I-40 and that shut down the interstate for about two hours. Another truck overturned on I-40 in McDowell County, spilling crates of lemons and limes. A couple of cars hit those crates and wrecked. A mess on I-40 overall.

WLOSers say apple farmers will have about 30 to 40 percent of their crop this fall after the Easter freeze that devasted all kinds of growers.

And it looked like only a few people turned out for the Mater festival in Canton and some craft festival in downtown Hendersonville.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Burning down the house

Biltmore security puts the Whammy! on B-52s fans

3 Comments

A to the P August 7, 2007

It’s local noon news. Thats what you get.

"as residents start to sift through the ashes, investigators search for what sparked this destructive blaze."

Now thats real news!

Reply
Kate August 7, 2007

From Victoria Dunkle’s mouth: "As the people of Spruce Pine start the recovery process from downtown weekend fire, the investigation heats up!"

Isn’t this lazy!

Reply
RadioLongAgo August 7, 2007

Whatever happened to the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY of news?
I watched the report Monday afternoon and never understood why there was a state of emergency. Was it because arson was suspected? Was it because they were afraid buildings would topple down on people’s heads? Was it because the Spruce Pine fire guys were fatigued and couldn’t put out any more fires?
Maybe I missed it…

Reply