Owner Charged with Arson in Paris Business Fire
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HENRY COUNTY, Tenn. – The owner of the tire shop that caught on fire last week has been arrested and charged with arson, Tuesday afternoon. Joe Smith, owner of Smith Discount Tire Barn at 3940 Highway 79 North, was booked in the Henry County Jail on a $100,000 bond, according to Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew. Three others were arrested and charged with arson after a fire at Smith’s Tire Barn in Henry County on Feb. 21 around 1 a.m. William Tomlin Jr., Diane Tomlin and Michael Allred, all of Paris, each face five counts of arson, because of the vehicles that were inside the warehouse. The size of the blaze and the extreme heat prompted at least three homes on Jackson Forrest Road had to be evacuated. According to the report, Deputy Brian Davis was on patrol when he observed flames coming from Smith’s Tire Barn on Highway 79 North just after 1 a.m. Friday. Davis then noticed two individuals walking down the highway. Another person was stopped in a vehicle, intending on giving the pair a ride. The trio were taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning and were then charged. Smith’s Tire Barn was a total loss, as were 17 storage units belonging to TRW, which is in the adjoining parking lot. Fire officials confirm the building is a total loss. Investigators say no one was hurt in the fire. Smith will be in court on Thursday, Feb. 27.
