Officials declare arson at Little Nashville Opry

The fire that destroyed the Little Nashville Opry was declared arson during a press conference Monday at the Brown County Sheriff’s Department.

The blaze burnt down the building at about 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 19, hours after a concert finished at the hall.

While no injuries were reported from the fire, all business operations have ceased until further notice.

The concert hall was known for presenting Country Music entertainment for more than 30 years such as Kenny Rogers, Wayne Newton and Johnny Cash.

Rachel Meyer, State Fire Marshal public information officer, could only say that the fire was intentional and could not release any information about possible suspects.

Kimberly Riddell, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Sunday that the collected evidence for the Opry fire had been taken to its national laboratory in Ammendale, Md.

The bureau is done collecting on-the-scene evidence but is still in Brown County interviewing subjects, Riddell said.