Investigators received results from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Crime Lab in Atlanta that determined the fire was intentionally set at the Balls Creek Campground in Catawba County on Sunday, September 29, 2019.
Because of the historic and religious significance of Balls Creek Campground, a joint task force of local, state and federal authorities including Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and United States Department of Justice – ATF, have been and will continue investigating the fire which destroyed 40 tents and damaged 9 others.
The task force continues to request assistance from the public in the form of information, leads and pictures or video from the area the evening of September 29, 2019. Anyone with information related to this ongoing criminal investigation should call the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 464-5241.
