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Two Juveniles Charged with Starting East Tennessee Wildfires

Marcus Obal, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

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

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, local District Attorney General James Dunn and Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced charges at a news conference Wednesday.

Dunn says 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. They're being held in the Sevier County juvenile detention center.  

They said the juveniles are from Tennessee, but not Sevier County.  Officials said state law prevents releasing more information about them.  The investigation is ongoing and more charges could come. They said it's possible they would move the case into adult courts.

Rob Canning is a native of Murray, KY, a 2015 TV Production grad of Murray State. At MSU, he served as team captain of the Murray State Rowing Club. Rob's goal is to become a screenwriter, film director or producer and looks to the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie for inspiration. He appreciates good music, mainly favoring British rock n' roll, and approves of anything with Jack White's name on it. When not studying, rowing or writing, Rob enjoys spending his free time with a book or guitar.
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