Second person arrested in October fire in Hardin County

HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. — A second person has been arrested in connection with an October fire in Hardin County.

Patty Provence Smith, 41, was indicted on one count of criminal responsibility for facilitation of arson in connection with the Oct. 31 fire.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Provence Smith was arrested Jan. 13 and booked into the Hardin County Jail.

The investigation by the TBI, Tennessee Fire Investigation Service and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office began after the fire on Fox Hollow Loop in Savannah, according to a news release.

The release says investigators later determined Provence Smith facilitated the actions of Bradley Balentine, who was charged with arson.

The fire was set at a barn which contained about 175 rolls of hay, the release says.