79 Year Old Bybee Man Wanted For Arson

A 79 year old Cocke County man is facing arson charges. It stems from an incident that happened Wednesday afternoon on Willow Glen Way in Bybee. According to a witness, Brenda Martin was at a residence nearby when she received a call from her husband, 79 year old James Martin telling her to come home or he would burn the house down. A short time later, Brenda received a call from a neighbor stating that her home on Willow Glen Way was on fire. About the same time, she received another call from James Martin saying he was sorry. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and a dog belonging to Brenda Martin was killed in the blaze. Firefighters on scene told law enforcement that the fire appeared to be intentionally set. James Martin was not on scene when sheriff’s deputies or fire crews arrived. Warrants have been issued for his arrest for arson and cruelty to animals.