Tabor City man tells police he set fire to home with dog inside

TABOR CITY, NC (WWAY) — A Tabor City man admitted to setting fire to a home by throwing paper towels on the stove, police say.

Capt. Greg Sibbett says it happened around 9:30 Monday night at a home on Ray Street.

Sibbett says Sandy Lewis Rhue, 45, was still there when officers and the fire marshal arrived. Sibbett says Rhue admitted to setting the fire while a dog was still inside.

The dog died.

No one else was hurt.

Rhue is charged with second degree arson and cruelty to animals.

He is in jail under a $55,000 bond.