A Crossville man is facing an arson indictment after investigators say a January house fire on Chestnut Hill Road was set on purpose.
The blaze damaged a home in the 3000 block of Chestnut Hill Road on Jan. 22. Authorities later arrested a suspect on June 18 and booked him into the Cumberland County Jail, where bond was set at $100,000. The indictment includes a single count of arson.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the defendant as 25-year-old Cobie Hurley, according to WATE. TBI agents presented their findings to a Cumberland County grand jury, which returned the indictment, WATE reported.
In a statement, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stressed that the indictment is “merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence” and urged anyone with information about intentionally set fires to call the state’s arson hotline at 1-800-762-3017, per the agency’s release. The bureau said its fire-investigation specialists joined the case and worked with local authorities throughout the probe.
What Happens Next
Hurley is expected to be arraigned in Cumberland County court, where prosecutors will formally outline the charge and set future court dates. An indictment means a grand jury found probable cause to bring the case forward, but Hurley is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
From here, the case moves into the local court process. That typically includes pretrial motions, evidence exchange between the parties, and, potentially, plea negotiations before any trial is scheduled.
Local Context
Arson investigations have cropped up in the Crossville area in recent years. In January 2025, a separate indictment was returned in connection with a 2024 blaze at Bootleggers Bar and Grill in Crossville, underscoring how deliberate-fire cases can unfold over months or even years.
In this latest case, officials have not released details about a possible motive or specific evidence beyond the indictment itself. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is again asking anyone with tips to call the arson hotline at 1-800-762-3017 or contact Cumberland County law enforcement, per the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. This story will be updated as new court filings or official statements become available.
