Advertisement 2 arrested in connection with fatal Tennessee fire Pair being held in a juvenile detention center Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Authorities have charged two juveniles for starting a Tennessee wildfire that killed 14 people. Officials in Tennessee announced Wednesday that two juveniles have been charged in connection with the east Tennessee wildfires. The blazes also 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 officials announced charges at a news conference Wednesday. Dunn said 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. Additional charges are being considered, Fourth District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn said, including the possibility of seeking a transfer to adult criminal court, CNN reported. At the news conference, Mark Gwyn, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, told victims of the fire, “We stand with you, and are committed to seeing justice served in this case.” He said every effort is being made to help bring closure to “those who lost so much.” Dunn explained that under state law, specific information cannot be released because the suspects are juveniles. Dunn said the suspects were arrested Wednesday morning. He said they are not from Sevier County, but they are residents of Tennessee. He could not confirm their ages or gender. He said additional charges are being considered, and there is the possibility that they could be transferred to the adult court system. He said at this point “everything is on the table.” Dunn said the fire was started Nov. 23 in the Chimney Tops area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and spread into Gatlinburg. Google maps shows Chimney Tops is about nine miles away from Gatlinburg. The suspects are entitled to a hearing within 72 hours of their arrest at which a judge will decide whether they will be held without bond, have bond set or be released, Dunn said. They are currently being held in the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Facility. National Park Chief Ranger Steve Kloster said information received from the public via a tip line was critical in giving investigators direction. He said state and national agencies joined local agencies in the investigation on Nov. 28 because of the large area of the fires. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the National Park Service and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office are all continuing to investigate the fire. In response to several questions asked by reporters after the news conference, Dunn reiterated that he is limited in what he can say because the suspects are juveniles. The death toll in the Gatlinburg fire was 14, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said. Waters said one of the victims had a heart attack while trying to escape the fire. Waters said at least 85 people were injured in the fires and at least 1,000 structures were burned.