The State Bureau of Investigation’s Greenville office has confirmed to Truth or Dare that the May 1, 2007 fire that burned down Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe in Nags Head is still an open case. That’s right. The arson investigation into the three and half year old fire lumbers on as the dogged SBI agents scour the county for clues.
The fire happened in the early morning hours of May 1, 2007. The intense fire was not contained for two hours. It burned the structure to the ground. The Nags Head Police Department called in the Wilmington office of the ATF and the State Bureau of Investigation. When asked about the investigation six months after the fire, ATF spokesman Jim Modzelewski told The Virginian Pilot,
“… sometimes… it just takes time to evaluate the evidence, especially with some commercial structures.”
How much more time do you reckon they need?
When the initial investigation revealed arson, Basnight was ‘shocked’ by the news.
All sorts of records were broken to rebuild the restaurant. Demo and foundations permits were applied for and received the next day. The CAMA permit was approved in 11 days. The Town of Nags Head approved the site plan within two weeks. Town Planning Director at the time, Tim Wilson, told the Pilot,
“I believe that this board would do this for any other business in town.”
Basnight told The Pilot,
“I’ve paid every fee…At no time did I ask for any special treatment from anybody.
Truth or Dare 
November 5, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Did it ever occur to you to ask why the investigation continues?
I heard last year from a reliable source close to the SBI that it’s becuase they suspect that a right-wing anti-abortion hate group set the fire.
October 23, 2010 at 11:39 am
Everyone from Moyock to the beach seems to have noticed the highly unusual, break-neck speed in which the new building arose from the ashes. But it is ‘news’ me that: 1) it was arson and 2) it’s still under investigation ..3.5 yrs. later? Who they got workin’ it? Barney Fife?
October 23, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Ssshhhhh! Actually, Barney died about a year before the fire, but they may not know yet. Barney may still be drawing a salary, getting his SS check, and may be planning to vote with Andy in a few days. Don’t mess it up for them.
October 22, 2010 at 10:50 am
It was amazing to see how fast permits were issued. Over the years, I’ve never seen a building designed, while being constructed. CAMA permitting usually takes at least 3 weeks and is required before any site work is allowed, yet the whole mess was cleared and the site was prepped within a few days. It appeared favors were done then and are still being done.
October 22, 2010 at 8:24 am
Improvements/Expansions to the structure were not allowed per town building codes.
That building burned down *fast*.
That building site was cleaned up *fast*. Within a couple of days, I believe.
Construction began almost as *fast* as the cleanup. Site plans, blueprints, permits, contractors, etc all were seemingly teleported in. The construction was done in a matter of a couple of weeks.
The Improvements/Expansions were accomplished when rebuilt.
Isn’t it ironic? Probably just coincidence.
October 27, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Uh,yeah, probably . . .
October 22, 2010 at 7:36 am
I don’t see the point of this story. No wrong doing has ever been suggested much less proven. I know of one shopping center that was allowed to be started i Nags Head before engineering was completed for electric and HVAC systems. They didn’t want to hold up the foundation and framing waiting for paperwork on something that was months away from starting. Basnight was afforded the same courtesy. Construction workers were out of work and welcomed the employment which had a lot to do with the speed of the rebuild. Let’s keep it above board, this is not news.
October 22, 2010 at 7:41 am
The news is that the investigation is still open after three and a half years. Just another shining example of our SBI not getting the job done. Everything else is background.