Executive Summary
- Incident Overview: Authorities are investigating an arson case involving a camper fire on Hooper Road in Tellico Plains on August 22.
- Forensic Findings: Sheriff Tommy Jones confirmed the camper was unoccupied and disconnected from any power source at the time of the fire.
- State Involvement: The TBI Bomb and Arson Unit has been deployed to assist the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
- Public Appeal: Law enforcement is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for credible tips regarding the incident.
TELLICO PLAINS, Tenn. — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), in coordination with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), has issued a public appeal for information regarding a confirmed arson incident involving a camper in Tellico Plains. Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the blaze, which destroyed the structure late last summer.
Deputies responded to the fire on Hooper Road on August 22. According to a formal release from Sheriff Tommy Jones, investigators established that the camper was unoccupied at the time of the incident. Crucially, the Sheriff noted that no power sources were connected to the camper when the fire ignited, a fact that assisted investigators in ruling out electrical malfunction and classifying the incident as arson.
Recognizing the severity of the incident, local authorities requested state-level support. “The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was notified and requested to assist,” Sheriff Jones stated. “A special Agent from the TBI Bomb and Arson Unit responded to help with the investigation.” This unit specializes in complex fire investigations where accelerants or other deliberate means are suspected.
Lt. Detective Billy Littleton is leading the call for community assistance. Officials announced that a cash reward of up to $5,000 is available for information leading to the identification and prosecution of those responsible. Residents with relevant information are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (423) 442-5002, extension five.
Investigative Outlook
The involvement of the TBI’s Bomb and Arson Unit signals that local authorities are treating this case with high priority, leveraging specialized forensic resources often unavailable at the county level. In arson cases involving structures that are disconnected from utilities, the investigation typically pivots toward identifying external ignition sources and potential witnesses who may have observed suspicious activity in the area. While the camper was unoccupied, preventing loss of life, the deliberate nature of the act poses a continued public safety concern for the rural community.
