KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in charges being placed against two people in connection with the deadly wildfires in Sevier County.
Last week, at the request of 4th District Attorney General James Dunn, TBI Special Agents began working alongside the National Park Service and ATF to investigate the wildfires that began last month.
Fourteen people were killed and more than 130 were injured in the fires. Thousands of acres were also burned, and more than 1,780 structures were destroyed or damaged.
During the course of the investigation, information was developed that two juveniles allegedly started the fire.
Today, a petition was filed in juvenile court charging the juveniles with Aggravated Arson. Both were taken into custody and transported to the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Center.
Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the juveniles do not live in Sevier County but are Tennessee residents. Information on their identities will not be released.
They remain in custody and will have a detention hearing within the next 72 hours. It will then be determined if they will be held with or without bond or released.
At this time the investigation is active and ongoing.
*WKRN News 2 contributed to this report.
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