6/14/2007 - Niota Man
Charged With Using Bible To Start Motel Fire - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com
Chattanooga fire investigators made an arrest Thursday in connection with a small fire at a local motel last month.
The fire occurred at the Best Western Heritage Inn at 7641 Lee Highway on May 27. Only one room was involved and the fire apparently burned itself out when Chattanooga firefighters arrived on the scene. No one was injured, and the fire caused approximately $5,000 in damages.
Captain James Whitmire with the Fire Investigation Division was called to the scene, and the physical evidence suggested that the fire had been deliberately set.
Following a three-week investigation, Captain Whitmire arrested Richard McCoy, 37, of Niota, Tn., and charged him with aggravated arson and vandalism.
Captain Whitmire said McCoy used pages from a Bible to help set several fires in the room, and he also disconnected the smoke alarm to delay the fire's detection.
McCoy was charged with aggravated arson because he endangered the lives of all the other people staying in the motel at that time, he said. Some additional charges may be filed.
