By Bill Grubb
News Editor

ROGERSVILLE - A member of the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department has been charged with reporting and then responding, along with other department members and equipment, to a non-existent fire, telling authorities he did it as a "joke."
    Kevin Michael Boyke, 20, 185 Price Hollow Road, Rogersville, was charged with a count of filing a false report in connection with the July 14 incident.
    According to a report filed by Hawkins County Sheriff's Office Corporal Brian Boggs, on July 16 he spoke with 911 Director Gay Murrell regarding the false report.
    "She stated that about 3:52 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2012, she received an unknown fire complaint on Heck Branch Road in Hawkins County.  Lakeview Fire department was dispatched and responded to the scene and the fire was unfounded," Boggs wrote.
    Boyke was developed as a suspect and during questioning he reportedly admitted he called 911 and reported "a fire that he knew did not exist as a joke," according to the deputy.
    The department dispatched four trucks and 10 members, as well as Boyke, as a result of the false 911 call.
    Boyke is scheduled to appear in Hawkins County General Sessions Court August 1.