Fire destroys SmartNews building

SmartNews, the startup free daily paper in Fayetteville, N.C., is in temporary quarters after the building that houses its offices burned down early Monday.

Investigators haven't pinpointed a cause, but this from Managing Editor Jim McBee:

No word yet on the cause of the fire -- as I type, State Bureau of Investigation and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents are poking through the wreckage. The building's owner called SmartNews owner and publisher Randy Foster at home in the wee hours to tell him the building was on fire. And then he called me. Not much sleep, but we're getting out Tuesday's paper per usual. Thankfully, critical laptops were not in the office when it went up, and we contract out our printing.

Hopefully, no one was hurt. Jim, you and your staff are in our thoughts! Please keep us posted.