Chimney Tops Fire Suspects

Teens suspected in chimney top fire from anderson.

Chimney tops fire suspects.

The tennessee bureau of investigation reported that two juveniles have been arrested for aggravated arson in connection with the chimney tops 2 fire and sevier county fire. 28 2016 approximately four and a half days after the initial origin of the fire was. The teens 15 and 17 were charged with starting the chimney tops fire which eventually spread to the smoky mountains into sevier county and gatlinburg killing 14 people injuring more than 200. No suppression activities were initiated and on november 24 2016 park fire officials delineated containment boundary made of natural features which were hoped to contain the fire.

The unprecedented unexpected and unforeseeable wind event that started in the early morning hours of nov. Feeding off a drought stricken forest the chimney tops 2 fire grew. The chimney tops 2 fire was originally reported on november 23 2016. According to the news sentinel the teens arrested last week and charged with aggravated arson in connection to the wildfire that tore through parts of sevier county last month and killed 14 people are from anderson county.

Gusting winds have caused the fire to spot across the ridges in the chimney tops and bullhead ridge areas. There were no prescribed burns in the area this year. The gatlinburg fire that killed 14 people was started by two teenagers dropping lit matches onto the ground along chimney tops trail in great smoky mountain national park sources close to the. 23 according to a statement from the tennessee bureau of investigation.

Prosecutors say the two minors started a fire on nov. On november 27 while the fire was still inside the containment boundary three chinook. It is still under investigation. Those winds spread deadly embers into gatlinburg and the surrounding region.