SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn., Dec. 7 (UPI) — Two juveniles have been charged with starting the historic wildfires that killed more than a dozen people in Tennessee this month, authorities said Wednesday.
Investigators said the teenagers were arrested and charged with aggravated arson. Neither their names, ages or genders were disclosed, though.
The fires were Tennessee’s worst in decades and destroyed nearly 2,000 homes and other structures. At least 14 people died and 150 were hurt as the result of the fires in Sevier County, the center of which is the resort town of Gatlinburg.
It wasn’t clear whether the teens might face additional charges, such as murder or manslaughter, although prosecutors could try them both as adults.
“Everything is on the table,” prosecutor James Dunn said.
Dunn added that the juveniles are residents of Tennessee, but not Sevier County.
Tennessee officials do not reveal criminal records of juveniles unless it involves serious charges, like murder or rape. However, if the case is sent to criminal court, the records will become public.
Officials said the two will have a detention hearing within the next three days.
