Arson Suspected In Unoccupied Home Fire

Fire crews battled a structure fire in the early morning hours Thursday. When first responders arrived, they found a one story home on fire in the area of the Family Inn on west Highway 25-70. Flames were coming from around the back of the home near the attic. Cocke County deputies searched around the home to see if anyone was possibly inside. They noticed the front door looked like it was open and boot prints were leading inside the home. Deputies attempted to go inside the residence to make sure no one was inside, but due to heavy smoke we were only able to make it into the front part of the home. The Cocke County fire department put out that blaze. Jason Whitt, who owns the home told deputies there was no Electricity to the home. He also stated the home had been broken into back in January. That fire is under investigation as arson is suspected.