x
Breaking News
More () »

62-year-old man charged with arson and vandalism after Walland RV park fire and smaller fires, sheriff's office says

The Blount County Sheriff's Office said police in Alcoa and Maryville were also investigating fires in their jurisdictions.

BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE (8:45 p.m.): The Blount County Sheriff's Office said Mark Allen Bush, 62, was charged with arson, vandalism and setting fire to personal property Friday after authorities investigated some fires in the Blount County area.

One fire was reported at a Walland RV park and others reported in the Maryville and Alcoa areas.

A release from the sheriff's office said Allen faces three felony charges related to the fires. It said the Maryville Police Department took him into custody Thursday evening and he was being held on bonds totaling $120,000. He is expected to appear in court for a hearing on Nov. 12.

--

A fire burned down a structure at a Walland RV park Thursday evening, but no injuries were reported.

It was at the Whispering River Resort and crews responded at around 6:15 p.m. The resort said the Blount County Fire Department quickly responded and kept the blaze from spreading to other facilities. However, its maintenance structure and the contents inside were a complete loss.

While guest services were restored by Friday morning, the Blount County Sheriff's Office said it was investigating the fire. It also said law enforcement in Maryville and Alcoa were investigating small fires in their jurisdictions that seemed "to all tie together."

The sheriff's office said it has not charged anyone in the fire but believed charges could be pending from other jurisdictions. 

Additional information, such as specific circumstances surrounding the fires, was not immediately available. This story will be updated when more information is available.

Before You Leave, Check This Out