Arson suspected in Bell Buckle blaze

A fire, which some officials feel may be arson, destroyed a garage and contents at a Bell Buckle residence late Tuesday night.

Flames were spotted in the garage at the home of T.J. Hall, Maple Street, shortly before 10 p.m.

The garage was fully involved when firefighters from Bell Buckle Fire Department and Volunteer Fire Services Inc. arrived, Bell Buckle Fire Chief Ronnie Lokey said.

Contents included a car, tools, bicycles and welding equipment.

"I commend the Bell Buckle citizens who spotted the fire and notified authorities," Bell Buckle Mayor Dennis Webb said. "In addition, our fire chief, Ronnie Lokey, and volunteer firefighters did an excellent job in addressing the fire."

"All of us in Bell Buckle are concerned with the frequency of these fires in our town. While the origin of this particular fire is unknown at this point, due to recent events, the Fire Chief and I have requested, as in previous fires, the services of the State Fire Marshall office, the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, and are seeking advice from an outside expert."

"The primary concern has and will always be the protection of lives and property in our community," Webb said. "I will be talking with these involved agencies and I will be discussing with the Board of Alderman a significant contribution to the Crime Stoppers reward program and options to prevent these incidents in the future."