Fire Officials: House fire may be cover-up for burglary
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GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — An early New Year’s Eve house fire in rural Gibson County is now under investigation, as officers now call it suspicious. Investigators said the fire may have even been a cover-up for something bigger. The homeowner said he was not living in the home when the fire started and had even turned off the electricity. He said he believes he was targeted but can not understand why. “That was my pride, my home. I built it with my bare hands,” homeowner Timothy Goff said. “No one needs this done to themselves.” Goff said he had been out of the home for two weeks helping family after losing his brother. But, fire officials said his house may have been intentionally destroyed while he was away. “I was at church, mourning the loss of my brother and burying my brother,” Goff said. “All while they’re down here burning my house down.” According to Gibson County Fire Chief Bryan Cathey, there could be more to the situation than just a fire. “We think that possibly there could have been a burglary and the fire was to cover it up,” Chief Cathey said. “But we’re still not 100 percent sure.” Goff said he believes multiple guns and knives were stolen from him because no remnants of them were found in the ashes. “This fire burned everything, but steel doesn’t burn like everything else,” Goff said. “We tried to retrieve all that but it’s gone.” Goff said he has an idea of who did this to him and wants to see them caught. “I got a really really good idea and they’re supposed to be very close people to me,” Goff said. “I’m not saying any names but you know who you are.” If you have any information on the fire or possible burglary you are urged to call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. All callers will remain anonymous and there is a $1,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
