A FORMER COEBURN VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ACCUSED OF SETTING FIRE TO A SCENIC TOWER IN WISE COUNTY VIRGINIA HAS PLED NOT GUILTY IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN ABINGDON. 23 YEAR OLD NICHOLAS OWENS IS CHARGED WITH ARSON AFTER A FIRE DESTROYED THE HIGH KNOB OBSERVATION TOWER. HIS CO-DEFENDANT, CHRISTOPHER HYATT OF COEBURN, WILL BE ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES OF ARSON AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO AUTHORITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BLAZE AT THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE. OWENS REMAINS FREE ON BOND PENDING TRIAL. HYATT COULD ENTER A PLEA AT HIS ARRAIGNMENT THIS AFTERNOON IN FEDERAL COURT. OWENS COULD HAVE A TRIAL DATE SET TODAY.