Illegal moonshine distillery explodes, catches fire in mountains, officials say

WILKES COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - An explosion at an illegal moonshine distillery sparked a fire in the North Carolina mountains on Monday, according to authorities.

Special agents from North Carolina’s Alcohol Law Enforcement Division were called to investigate the explosion in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Agents found an active 200-gallon illegal distillery. They seized about 1,800 gallons of mash, which is used to make moonshine, and 161 gallons of illegal moonshine.

North Carolina officials shared photos showing the charred inside of a metal building. Distilling equipment was also damaged.

Billy Ray Anderson, 69, was arrested and charged with manufacturing a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage, possession for sale of a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage, possession of a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage, possession of distillery equipment, possession of distillery ingredients and allowing property to be used for the manufacture of a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage.

Moonshine is believed to have originated in North Carolina and was once an important source of income, particularly for rural residents.