GEORGETOWN– Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agents specializing in fire investigations, working alongside the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, have arrested and charged a Georgetown man in connection with an arson investigation.

On June 15, 2023, agents began investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a detached garage at a home in the 3000 block of Sugar Creek Road in Georgetown.  During the course of the investigation, authorities determined that the property owner, James Harry Burch (DOB 10/10/1958), was the individual responsible for starting the fire.

Burch was arrested on March 19^th and charged with one count of Arson, one count of Burning Personal Property, one count of Filing a False Report, one count of Tampering with Evidence, one count of Insurance Fraud $10,000-$60,000, and one count of Insurance Fraud $60,000-$250,000. He was booked into the Meigs County Jail on $25,000 bond.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

If you have information about an intentionally set fire, call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017.