On Thursday July 9, 2009 at approximately 3:00AM, The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office along with The Springdale Fire Department and State Fire Marshalls responded to a house fire located on Leabow Hollow Road in the New Tazewell area of Claiborne County. The owner of the home is William Barnett, age 43 of New Tazewell.



Upon arrival, Officers were informed that a body may still be in the residence. The mobile home was already burned to the ground by this time and the body was burned beyond recognition when found. The Claiborne County Rescue Squad transported the body to the University of Tennessee Hospital where a autopsy to be performed to determine the cause of death. No results at this time.

Investigators believe the cause of the fire was accidental. A cigarette was found in the hand of the victim located in the bedroom of the home. The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.