Two face arson charges

By Eddie West

Staff Writer

Two juveniles have been charged in connection with a fire which destroyed a vacant mobile home in the Dixon Springs community.

The fire destroyed the mobile home and threatened two decades old and historical significant buildings, one of which  today is home to a medical clinic.

Tuesday (December 24), Sheriff Steve Hopper confirmed two 16 year old male juveniles were charged in connection with the fire and being held in the Putnam County Juvenile Detention Center.

After it was determined the fire wasn’t an accident, the sheriff said officers with the department obtained information which led to the charges the following day (Saturday, December 21).

After charges were filed, the two were transported to the Putnam County Juvenile Detention Center in Cookeville. 

On Monday, December 23, the two were transported from the detention facility in Putnam County to the Smith County Courts Facility to appear before Juvenile Court Judge Branden Bellar.

Judge Bellar ordered the two be detained in the Putnam County Juvenile Detention Center until a second hearing which is set for January 15, according to the sheriff.

 The fire occurred near the intersection of Dixon Springs Circle and Rome Road just off Highway 25/Dixon Springs Highway on Friday, December 20.

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