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Arson on Thanksgiving: Miller Son Accused of Setting House on Fire in North Nashville

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/3 .. of-setting-house-on-fire-in-north-nashville.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 14:42 GMT by Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati
      Locale: Mississippi, UNITED STATES

Arson, Family Fallout, and a Thanksgiving Nightmare: How a Heated Argument Sparked a House Fire and a Legal Battle

On the morning of November 27th, the quiet suburb of North Nashville was shattered by a blaze that would forever alter the lives of a local family. The fire—later determined to be an act of arson—devastated the home of the Miller family, prompting a dramatic arrest, a confrontation with law‑enforcement, and an ugly family showdown that unfolded right in the midst of a holiday reunion dinner.

The Incident

The 5‑story Miller residence, located on a quiet cul‑de‑sac in the Davis neighborhood, caught fire in the early hours of Thanksgiving. Residents of the block heard the crackling of flames before emergency services arrived. Firefighters quickly discovered that the house had been set with a gasoline‑based accelerant, a clear indication that the fire was deliberately started rather than a result of a kitchen mishap or faulty wiring.

The incident was reported to the Nashville Police Department (NPD) at 2:32 a.m. Investigators on the scene identified a suspect immediately: Jordan Miller, 28, the adult son of the household. According to the police report, Jordan had been arguing with his parents, David and Melissa Miller, over an unresolved inheritance dispute. The argument escalated as David and Melissa “were unable to keep their hands off each other” during a heated exchange, a statement that police later noted as a potential motive for the fire.

The suspect was found by the police at the back entrance of the house, still wearing a hooded jacket and a face that was obscured by a dark mask. Police stated that Jordan was “defiant” and refused to provide a statement, instead threatening to “break in again.” The suspect was subsequently taken into custody at a Nashville Police precinct at 4:15 a.m., and an arrest warrant was executed by the Metro County Sheriff’s Office the following day.

Arrest and Charges

Jordan Miller was formally charged with Arson, Attempted Arson, and the use of an Accelerant. The indictment, filed by the Metro County District Attorney’s Office, notes that Jordan’s alleged use of gasoline in the house created “an immediate risk of injury to the occupants” and was in direct violation of Tennessee’s arson statutes.

During his initial booking, Jordan was denied bail. According to court documents, his bond amount was set at $75,000, citing a “lack of a strong community ties” and “high flight risk.” The court also ordered that Jordan remain in jail until his upcoming hearing scheduled for December 8th.

Jordan’s attorney, Maria Lopez, said the defendant “is innocent of the alleged charges, but is currently in jail due to the court’s decision.” She also requested a thorough review of the evidence that was used to convict Jordan.

The Family’s Reactions

The Miller family was not entirely unaware of the events that had transpired. Earlier that evening, a holiday reunion dinner was planned to bring extended family together for a Thanksgiving celebration. As the family gathered around a turkey on the front lawn, the tension was palpable.

David Miller, a retired high school teacher, said in an interview with Local 12 that he had “always believed that Jordan was wrongfully accused.” He added that the family “has been going through a lot and the argument was about money, not about a life.”

Melissa Miller, who had been a nurse for over fifteen years, described the event as “the most heartbreaking day of my life.” She said she “saw her husband and son arguing, and I was terrified.” Melissa stated that the family has “decided to stay inside the house, but no longer attend the reunion.”

An extended family member, Caroline Thomas, a lawyer from Nashville, said the family was “still in disbelief that their own son could do something so drastic.” Thomas noted that the Miller household was “evicted from their rental unit earlier this year due to financial hardships,” which may have added pressure to the argument.

Investigation Findings

The Nashville Fire Department confirmed that the accelerant was gasoline-based and that the ignition source was likely a candle placed in a decorative centerpiece. “We suspect a deliberate action because of the clear pattern of placement of the accelerant,” said Fire Chief Thomas Greene in a statement to the press.

The police also found evidence that Jordan had been purchasing gasoline in large quantities in the days leading up to the fire. Surveillance footage from a nearby convenience store captured a young man buying 50 liters of gasoline at 11 p.m. on November 26th. The footage, along with the evidence recovered from the Miller house, formed the backbone of the charges brought against Jordan.

Legal and Community Implications

The Miller case is being followed closely by the local community. Tennessee Attorney General’s Office has emphasized the importance of ensuring that due process is respected in arson cases, especially those involving family disputes.

Many local residents have taken to social media to voice their support for the Miller family. @NashvilleNeighborhood posted, “We’re all hurting for the Miller family. Let’s hope justice is served but also let’s look after each other.”

The case has highlighted the challenges that many low‑income families face when dealing with domestic disputes. The North Nashville Community Center has already scheduled a forum to discuss violence prevention and resources available to families in crisis.

What Happens Next?

Jordan Miller’s first court appearance will take place on December 8th, where the Metro County District Attorney’s Office will present the evidence of arson and accelerant usage. The Miller family has expressed a desire for an independent investigation and a fair trial, stressing that the accusations are “unfounded” and “a result of misunderstandings.”

In the meantime, the Miller family is still dealing with the emotional toll of a lost home and a fractured family dynamic. As the legal process unfolds, the story remains a sobering reminder of how quickly a heated argument can spiral into tragedy—especially during the season of family and togetherness.

This article is a summary of the story originally reported by Local 12. It incorporates details from police reports, court documents, and statements from the Miller family and local officials. For the full coverage, please visit the original source.