Juveniles charged with arson in wildfires that left 14 people dead

Smoke rises from the remains of the Alamo Steak House in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, after a wildfire swept through the area. Photo / AP

Two juveniles have been charged with aggravated arson in connection with the East Tennessee wildfires that killed 14 people last week and left nearly 150 others injured, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday.

During an investigation, "information was developed that two juveniles allegedly started the fire," the TBI said in a news release.

A petition was filed Wednesday in juvenile court charging the juveniles with aggravated arson, the TBI said.

Both were taken into custody Wednesday morning and are being held at the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Center, authorities said.

Additional charges "are being considered," District Attorney General Jimmy B. Dunn said at a news conference in Sevierville, Tennesee. "Everything is on the table."

The suspects are Tennessee residents, Dunn said. No additional information about the youths was made available, including their age and gender.

"I understand that you have a lot of questions," Dunn told reporters. "However, the law does not allow for the disclosure of additional information at this time."

The "Chimney Tops 2" fire was first reported Nov. 23 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, according to the National Park Service. The wildfire exploded on Nov. 28, as massive walls of flames spread down the mountains into Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge with shocking speed, according to those who fled with little more than the clothes on their backs.

The fires that engulfed the two tourist towns outside the park and shut down one of the country's most popular natural attractions left more than 1,750 structures damaged or destroyed, most of them single-family residences. Additionally, thousands of wooded acres burned in the most-visited national park in America.

"To the residents of Sevier County: We stand with you and are committed to making sure justice is served in this case," TBI Director Mark Gwyn said at the news conference Wednesday.

He added: "Our promise is that we will do every effort to help bring closure to those who have lost so much."

The investigation, Gwyn said, is ongoing.