Advertisement

2 juveniles charged in Tennessee wildfires that killed 14

Dakota Cogdill, left, and Liberty Baptist Church pastor Dan Suttles sift through the remains of a home destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
(Tom Sherlin / Associated Press)
Share via

Authorities have charged two juveniles for starting an East Tennessee wildfire that killed 14 people and destroyed or damaged more than 1,700 buildings.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, local Dist. Atty. Gen. James Dunn and Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced charges at a news conference Wednesday.

Dunn said the juveniles face aggravated arson charges for the fire in the Chimney Tops area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Nov. 23. The fire spread to the Gatlinburg area, causing widespread damage. The two are being held in the Sevier County juvenile detention center.

Advertisement

They said the juveniles are from Tennessee, but not Sevier County. Officials said state law prevents them from releasing more information about the youths.

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could come. They said it’s possible they would move the case into adult courts.

ALSO

Advertisement

A Pearl Harbor survivor spent decades trying to forget it. Then one man got him talking

Thousands of snow geese die after landing in a toxic mine pit in Montana

Dylann Roof ‘chose to execute nine good, innocent men and women,’ prosecutor tells jurors

Advertisement
Advertisement