Grandmother says grandson started house fire
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NEWBERN, Tenn.– Carrie Hoage finally received her prescription medication a couple days after her Newbern home was set ablaze. Investigators said her 15-year-old grandson is the prime suspect. “It’s just devastating to think he could hate me that much all I was trying to do was do what I could for him,” said Hoage. Police said Hoage sat in a chair and watched as firefighters tried to save her home. Despite their efforts it was too late. According to Hoage, it started when she found her grandson with her prescription drugs on his bed. After two argued, Hoage said her grandson did something she did not expect. “Then he said ‘you’re about to learn a secret about me you didn’t know,” said Hoage. That’s when Hoage said she heard the smoke alarm go off and found her grandson’s bedroom on fire. “The flames went up to the ceiling,” said Hoage. She and one of her dogs escaped the fire, but her possessions went up in flames. Her two other dogs died inside the home. Officers said the 15-year-old fled to a nearby wooded area and circled around to hide in a tree down the street, watching the house burn. They said once the teen was captured, he admited he started the fire with a lighter. “He was very forthcoming about his intentions and actions. I’m not sure there was any remorse there,” said Lieutenant Greg Barr. The suspect is being held in juvenile center in Dyersburg. His grandmother said he has a court date set for later this month. Hoage is living with a friend across street. She said the neighborhood church, Community Church, is holding a benefit October 18 to raise funds to help her with living expenses in a new location.
