Man Finds Track Hoe On Fire On His Property

Charles Burnett of Cocke County called for first responders to come to his property after spotting black smoke coming from a field he owns on Tolley Hollow Road. Burnett stated when he made it down to where the smoke was, he found a track hoe belonging to Randy Mathis of Del Rio fully engulfed in flames. Cocke County fire crews responded and extinguished the fire, and told the sheriff’s office that it may have been an electrical issue. Burnett stated that the track hoe had been on the property for close to a month due to Mathis working for him. Police spoke with Mathis who stated that the track hoe had not been started in 4 to 5 days and “was like brand new” to him. He stated that he believes the fire may have been started intentionally and gave the sheriff’s department the name of a suspect. Mathis said the track hoe had a value of $30,000.