Fire on Smith County Road 46 Ruled Arson

SMITH COUNTY — An early morning fire at a Smith County halfway house has been determined to have been intentionally set. Although the building was occupied at the time the fire broke out, residents and employees were able to exit safely, and no injuries were reported. According to KETK and Smith County fire authorities, fire damage was confined to an area of offices in the building.

Just before 4:45 Friday morning, Dixie, Lindale and Noonday Fire Departments were dispatched to a fire at the facility on CR 46 in western Smith County. Upon Dixie Fire Department’s arrival on-scene, crews found fire in an office area of the building that had been contained by the building’s fire protection systems. The first arriving units were able to extinguish the fire quickly. The building was occupied at the time of the fire, but all residents and workers were able to safely exit the building prior to the fire department’s arrival. About 50 people were evacuated. Investigators with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene and determined the cause of the fire to be arson. The investigation is still underway, and at this point no suspects have been identified.

“This was a brazen act. To set fire to a building is bad enough, but to set fire to a building that has known occupants shows a complete disregard for life. We need the public’s help to get this person off the streets and into a jail cell where they belong. If you have any information on this fire or any other arson fire please contact the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office or other law enforcement agency,” said Deputy Jay Brooks with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office.