Forest Fire Destroys 2,200 Acres in Tennessee

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A forest fire in Hawkins County has destroyed about 2,200 acres west of Rogersville and is still burning. Meanwhile, the fire has uncovered what appears to be a dogfighting and cockfighting operation.

Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency Director Gary Murrell told the Kingsport Times-News (http://bit.ly/UcBPw4) that the majority of the area already burned is on the south side of Short Mountain, overlooking the Lakeview community. He said there are about 2,000 more acres on the north side that are still in danger of burning.

Firefighters are also concerned that the fire could jump lines on the eastern base of Short Mountain and make its way on to Stone Mountain.

The fire started Thursday afternoon, and the main goal of fire crews has been to protect homes and other structures.

While fighting the fire on Sunday, crews came across a property where about 20 dogs were chained to vehicle axles that were buried in the ground. They called the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office, which sent deputies to investigate.

Chief Deputy Tony Allen told the paper the dogs had no food or water and most of them were wounded or scarred.

Deputies also found a plywood pit that they believe was used to train the dogs for fighting.

The dog evacuation took about nine hours because any time two dogs got close to each other they would go into attack mode.

There were also about 20 roosters on the property.

Charvez Francisco was later arrested when he tried to reclaim the dogs.

He was charged with cock and animal fighting and animal cruelty and is free on $10,000 bond.

Francisco was not listed in the telephone directory.