Arson investigations underway

An arson investigation is underway after a pair of suspicious fires in Pine Knot Monday night kept fire crews busy for more than 2 hours.

The first fire was reported at 11:19 Monday night when a call to McCreary County 911 stated two individuals were spotted prowling around a Bethel road residence with flashlights. Moments later the caller stated the suspects had set the house on fire.

As members of the Pine Knot Fire and Whitley City Fire Departments arrived on the scene, McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputies Charles Perry and Cody Stephens began to search for the suspects.

Half an hour later a second fire was reported, this one at a residence on Poplar Ford Road – less than three miles from where crews were still battling the original blaze.

A suspicious vehicle was reported near the scene, but no identification was possible.

Both residences were unoccupied at the time of the fires and firefighters were able to contain both fires by 1:30 a.m.

Pine Knot Fire Chief Tim Cox stated there is a strong possibility that both fires are connected due to the timing and location, but also the fact that both residences are owned by the same individual and may have been targeted.

If anyone has information concerning the fires are asked to call McCreary County 911, the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department at 376-2322 or Chief Tim Cox at (606) 516-2055