Man charged after building burns
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Staff report
CHINA GROVE ó A domestic incident Tuesday night ended with a building burned and a man facing charges.
China Grove Police charged Jeffrey Carr Livengood, 41, of 412 John St., with burning the building, a felony, and resisting arrest.
Police Chief Hodge Coffield said an officer responded to a domestic disturbance around 8 p.m. The officer left after talking to Lori and Jeffrey Livengood.
About 30 minutes later, police and firefighters responded to a report of a disturbance and a building on fire.
Officers encountered Jeffrey Livengood, who had a machete. They described him as highly intoxicated and cursing.
At some point, he dropped the machete and officers used a Taser trying to gain control of him. The taser misfired, one of the probes missing Jeffrey Livengood.
Officers eventually gained control of him.
China Grove firefighters staged a short distance away until Livengood was under control. Shortly after firefighters approached the blaze, a propane tank in the wood-frame building exploded.
Nearly 30 firefighters from China Grove, Bostian Heights, Landis and Atwell got the fire under control within about 10 minutes.
Fire Chief Jeff Gledhill said firefighters removed a propane tank that was leaking to avoid another explosion.
The building, estimated to measure 15 feet by 15 feet, contained a pool table, refrigerator and other items. All the contents were destroyed.
No dollar estimate of the damages was available Wednesday.
Jeffrey Livengood posted a $5,000 bond.