Man Charged With Arson

A man has been charged with arson after a house fire on Heather Way Sunday evening. Neighbors told the Cocke County Sheriff’s office that the home’s owner had recently passed away and the owner’s son had been coming by burning things. They stated that shortly before the fire started, a man identified as Brandon Evans, the homeowner’s son had been dropped off at the residence. Evans, who arrived on the scene holding a beer, told deputies that he had been inside the home using the dryer when it caught fire. He says he tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher but could not, so he left. When fire crews and deputies entered the home, they found no washer or dryer was in the home. Evans has now been charged with arson as well as public intoxication.