Rutherford County, TN – Rutherford County Fire Rescue and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 4000 block of Betty Ford Road for a residential structure fire on July 7 at 5:39 p.m.

Fire and Sheriff’s Office units arrived on the scene and observed smoke coming from the residence. Responders were informed that the fire had reportedly been intentionally set.

Investigators from the Rutherford County Fire Marshal’s Office quickly responded to the scene. RCSO deputies and Fire Marshal investigators began searching for the suspect, who was ultimately spotted by a drone in a field behind the residence.

The suspect, identified as Timothy Graham, was taken into custody by Sheriff’s deputies. An investigation by the Rutherford County Fire Marshal’s Office revealed that Graham had intentionally set the fire before fleeing the scene, according to fire officials.

Graham was charged with arson. He was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and is being held on a $70,000 bond. The 47-year-old remains behind bars at this time. 

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