NEWPORT-Strong evidence of arson was found in a residence on Raccoon Valley Road that burned on Thursday, Dec. 27, at about 10:45 p.m., the Cocke County Sheriff's Office reported.

A report by Deputy Sheriff Josh Hall stated that the Cocke County Fire Department requested an officer, as well as a detective, to come to the residence at 169 Raccoon Valley Road.

Firefighters pointed out to CCSO officers a pile of debris under a breaker box where someone had poured an accelerant to start the fire, Hall stated in his report.

For more details, please see the Tuesday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.