By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Springville, Tenn.–A fire in a wooded area in Springville is being investigated as arson.
Springville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bob McDowell said the fire at 8770 Elkhorn Road was reported to the department by a passerby at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 7.
He said the passerby called 911 but because of the way the cell towers in that area are situated, his call was directed to the Benton County 911, which told him to call the fire department.
“All of that caused a delay, but still we want people to call 911 because we need a record of it,” McDowell said, “but sometimes it’s difficult for people to know which fire department they need to call.”
The fire was started some 15 feet off the roadway and appears to be connected to the arson fires which destroyed a couple of structures and large areas of woodlands earlier this year. “It was far enough off of the road that it wouldn’t have been accidental,” McDowell said.
The investigation has been referred to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.
Photo by Springville VFD.