A gas can left at the scene of a Trion fire and someone heard running through the woods has led Chattooga County Sheriff's investigators to suspect arson.

 

According to the report, the fire occurred at  Nellie Road, Trion, home on Wednesday, Feb. 13.  The fire was located in the basemen of the home and homeowner, Tina Mitchell Lowe, said she was in the living room when black smoke starting coming from the floors.

 

She said she went outside and down to the lower level of the home to discover that a large wooden cabinet was on fire. She also said she caught a quick glimpse of a male, running towards the woods in the direction of Wallace Road.

 

Also, a nearby resident said they heard what sounded like someone running through the woods behind the house.

 

 A canine was able to track a trail from the back of the woman's property to a residence on Wallace road. It is believed that the subject who was running was picked up by someone in a vehicle, according to the report.

 

Firefighters reported that they discovered a burnt, red gas can near the wooden cabinet which had an artificial Christmas tree, copper wire and other miscellaneous items inside it. Lowe said the cabinet had been empty before the fire.