2 juveniles charged in Tennessee wildfires that killed 14
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities on Wednesday charged two juveniles in an East Tennessee wildfire that killed 14 people and destroyed or damaged more than 1,700 buildings in an iconic tourism spot at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Officials offered few other specifics about how they think the two started a fire that leveled buildings into charred scraps, carving a deadly path through the Gatlinburg area.
People scrambled in terror to try to flee on foot or drive out of the inferno that often cloaked them from all sides, shooting hot embers through the winds. Some spent days hoping for good news about their missing loved ones. Many learned they would soon be planning funerals.
The juveniles face aggravated arson charges in the fire in the Chimney Tops area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Nov. 23. That fire grew amid drought conditions and ultimately rode winds exceeding 87 miles per hour into the Gatlinburg area early last week. Authorities have not yet announced a dollar amount on the damaged caused by the wildfire.
The two are being held in the Sevier County juvenile detention center.
“Our promise is that we will do every effort to help bring closure to those who have lost so much,” said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn.
The juveniles are from Tennessee, but not Sevier County, where the fires spread. Otherwise, officials said state law prevents releasing more information about them.
Karyssa Dalton, a 19-year-old whose grandmother Pamela Johnson remains missing in the blaze, said the two should be held accountable, even though they’re young.
“I mean, what if somebody came through their town, and set their town on fire, and lost their loved ones, and lost all their homes?” Dalton said. “It’s not fair.”
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Chief Ranger Steve Kloster said the public was “critical” in offering investigators information through a tip line. Previously, the National Park Service said it believed the fire was human caused, and set up a tip line for people to call if they hiked that trail on Nov. 23, or knew anyone who did.
The investigation is ongoing and more charges could come. It’s also possible that the case could be transferred to an adult criminal court, Dunn said.
The juveniles are entitled to a detention hearing within 72 hours in which a juvenile court judge will decide to hold them without bond, hold them with bond, or release them, Dunn said.
Dunn constantly said everything was “part of the investigation” when asked for details.
Asked if others could be charged in the fire, Dunn repeated that “everything’s on the table.”
“We don’t know,” he said.
On Wednesday, Gatlinburg residents and business owners were allowed to move back into homes and establishments permanently. They had been allowed to visit during daytime hours since last Friday.
The city is slated to open to the public on Friday morning. Though swaths of the city were decimated, the main downtown strip appears to have been spared.
In this Monday, Dec. 6, 2016 photo, Senior Pastor Kim McCroskey inspects a statue outside the remains of the family life center at Roaring Fork Baptist Church in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The church and the center burned down in wildfires a week earlier. (AP Photo/Jonathan Mattise)
Allan Rivera looks over the remains of his home while visiting the site for the first time Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The family evacuated from their rental cabin before it was completely destroyed by a wildfire. A week ago on Monday, hurricane-force winds whipped up fires that killed over a dozen people and damaged or destroyed over a 1,000 buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains tourist region. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
Allan Rivera holds onto his son Nathan Rivera, 23 months old, as he looks at the remains of their home for the first time Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The family evacuated from their rental cabin before it was completely destroyed by a wildfire. A week ago on Monday, hurricane-force winds whipped up fires that killed over a dozen people and damaged or destroyed over a 1,000 buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains tourist region. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
A scorched vehicle sits next to a burned out building in Gatlinburg, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. The fatal fires swept over the tourist town the night before, causing widespread damage. Thousands of people raced through a hell-like landscape to escape wildfires that killed several people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the Great Smoky Mountains. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
People inspect the remains of a home burned by a wildfire Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, near Gatlinburg, Tenn. Thousands of people have fled wildfires that killed at least three people and destroyed hundreds of homes and a resort in the Great Smoky Mountains. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Smokes rises out of the remains of a burned-out business Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn., after a wildfire swept through the area Monday. Tornadoes that killed five people are adding to an onslaught of drought, flood and fire plaguing the South. The deadly overnight storms crashed into Alabama and Tennessee just as crews began to control wildfires around the resort town of Gatlinburg. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Destroyed homes sit among burned trees Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, near Gatlinburg, Tenn., after a wildfire swept through the area Monday. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Burned structures are seen from aboard a National Guard helicopter near Gatlinburg, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Thousands of people raced through a hell-like landscape to escape wildfires that killed several people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the Great Smoky Mountains. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
In this aerial photo, smoke rise above Gatlinburg, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, the day after a wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings. (Paul Efird/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
A burned vending machine rests outside a destroyed building, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn., after a wildfire swept through the area Monday. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
Burned structures are seen from aboard a National Guard helicopter near Gatlinburg, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Thousands of people raced through a hell-like landscape to escape wildfires that killed several people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the Great Smoky Mountains. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
Empty foundations are destroyed from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
A structure and a car are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Burned out cars and chimneys are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
The Alamo Steakhouse is damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Two dormitories from Arrowmont School are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Chimneys and melted electrical boxes were damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Two of the dormitories at Arrowmont School are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
From the view at Caesars Head State Park, helicopters drop water on a wildfire in South Carolina as it gets near the Transylvania County border Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. Authorities say arson investigations are underway in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky. Firefighters have made progress in battling many of the large wildfires burning in the South, but investigators say more fires are being lit each day by suspected arsonists. (Caesars Head State Park/The Times-News via AP)
The remains of a washer and dryer are some of the only recognizable items after a wildfire burned down the home Monday night in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Hundreds of structures have apparently been destroyed with more than 1,300 people evacuated overnight Monday November 29, 2016. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone. (Tom Sherlin/The Daily Times via AP)
Dakota Cogdill sifts through the remains of a home after a wild fire burned the home Monday night in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. . Hundreds of structures have apparently been destroyed with more than 1,300 people evacuated overnight Monday November 29, 2016. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone. (Tom Sherlin/The Daily Times via AP)
From Caesars Head State Park people watch a wildfire in South Carolina as it gets near the Transylvania County border Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. Authorities say arson investigations are underway in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky. Firefighters have made progress in battling many of the large wildfires burning in the South, but investigators say more fires are being lit each day by suspected arsonists. (Caesars Head State Park/The Times-News via AP)
Smoke rises into the air as Blount County firefighters battle a wildfire behind Walland Elementary School and Walland United Methodist Church Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, in Walland, Tenn. The school was evacuated as a precaution. (Tom Sherlin/The Daily Times via AP)
Smoke rises from a wildfire as traffic moves along East Lamar Alexander Parkway Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, in Walland, Tenn. he fire started behind Walland Elementary School and the school was evacuated as a precaution. (Tom Sherlin/The Daily Times via AP)
Richard T. Ramsey looks over the remains of the house that he had lived in for 41 years, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Adevastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The charred foundation is all remains of a home on the northern outskirts of Gatlinburg, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. A devastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The foundation is all that is left from a burnt homes, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. A devastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
The foundation is all that is left from a burned home along Ridge Top Loop Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. A devastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
An American flag has been hung at the entrance to Gatlinburg , Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. A devastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Burnt vehicles remain among the damage from wildfires at Creek Place Efficiencies in Gatlinburg, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Tornadoes that dropped out of the night sky killed several people in two states and injured at least a dozen more early Wednesday, adding to a seemingly biblical onslaught of drought, flood and fire plaguing the South. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)