By Shannon McFarlin News Director
The Henry County and Benton County Sheriff’s Office are working along with the TBI on the rash of arson fires that have been occurring in both counties over the past several months.
Both Henry County Sheriff Josh Frey and Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher say that authorities continue to seek information on the fires which have destroyed properties, including abandoned homes and structures, multiple acres of woodlands, and in the most recent fire, a landmark former restaurant in Benton County.
A $5,000 reward was issued earlier for information on the fires and suspects by the State’s Arson Hotline.
Christopher noted that recent fires in Benton County destroyed homes on Faxon Church Road in Big Sandy and “The Old Rock Store” landmark on Hwy. 69A between Camden and Big Sandy. In Henry County, there have been multiple fires, with several happening on the same days.
Frey said the sheriff’s departments in both counties have been working together on the arsons “from Day One, from when they started happening. We’ve all been sharing information back and forth.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 731 642 1672, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 731 584 4633 or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.
Top photo: The “Old Rock Store” landmark in Benton County was destroyed by fire March 15. Photo by Bobby Melton.
Bottom photo: Abandoned home destroyed by fire in Mansfield in January. Darren Webb photo.
