Authorities have charged two juveniles with aggravated arson in connection with wildfires in Tennessee that killed 14 people, injured 176 others, and destroyed more than 2,400 buildings this week, authorities announced on Wednesday.
“We are pleased to announce that two people have now been charged for their role in starting the fires,” Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn told reporters at a press conference in Sevier County. “Unfortunately, these two individuals are juveniles.”
The two suspects—whose names, ages, and genders weren’t identified due to state laws protecting minors—are currently being held at the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Center and could be tried as adults. Neither suspect is from Sevier County but they are both residents of Tennessee.
Authorities also said the fire started back on November 23 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has destroyed approximately 2,460 structures in the county, and has injured 176 residents, WATE-TV in East Tennessee reports.
Dolly Parton, the famous country music singer from Tennessee, promised to donate $1,000 to each family that remains homeless from the deadly wildfire.
