THIRD PERSON CHARGED IN 2017 HARDIN COUNTY FIRE
JACKSON – A joint investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Fire Investigation Services and Hardin County Sheriff’s Department has resulted in the indictment and arrest of an Alabama man, making him the third person to be charged in connection with the 2017 fire.
At the request of 24th District Attorney General Matt Stowe, on October 31, 2017, TBI Agents joined investigators with TFIS and deputies in investigating a fire that occurred on that day on Fox Hollow Loop Road in Savannah. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the structure, a hay barn containing about 175 rolls of hay, was intentionally set.
On March 20th, the Hardin County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Nick Duncan (DOB 02/17/1988), Bradley Balentine (DOB 08/25/1987) and Patty Provence Smith (DOB 04/01/1976) each with one count of Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Arson. Duncan, of Waterloo, Alabama, was arrested on March 27th and booked into the Hardin County Jail. He was released after posting a $10,000 bond. Balentine and Smith had previously been arrested and face additional charges in connection with this incident. They remain in the Hardin County Jail.
