A fire that heavily damaged three pieces of earthmoving equipment on Monday was arson. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s volunteer fire department are working together to identify those responsible for the fires.

Just after 8:30 a.m. thick clouds of black smoke prompted several calls to the 9-1-1 center. Deputies answering the call went to a large parcel of land on Hughes Lake Road that borders the Tennessee – Georgia state line.

Two bulldozers and an excavator that was sitting about 150 yards away received extensive damage, with estimates running as high as $300,000.

The evidence collection unit of the sheriff’s office was brought into the investigation to document evidence that was taken from the scene of the fires.

Anyone who has information about the fire should get in contact with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office by calling 728-7336.