Two teens are suspected of playing with matchsticks in Tennessee, which started the wildfire that killed many and injured more, as well as destroyed many infrastructures. More details have also been released regarding the two teens charged with arson.
Patch reported that the two teens reportedly dropped the matches along a hiking trail near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They were said to be aged 15 and 17 and were hiking on the Chimney Tops trail last Nov. 23 and tossed the lit matches onto the ground.
The teenagers charged with arson are from Anderson County. It is around 50 miles from the park.
Another hiker captured a photo of the two male teenagers walking away from the trail with smoke in the background. That photo was then used to track down the two teens. One of the two teens was identified as the son of an Anderson County Sheriff's Office employee.
It is unclear if the prosecutors will pursue trying the two teens as adults. As per Tennessee law, 17-year-olds could be tried as adults in any crime as long as the judge will approve it. However, defendants under 16 can only be charged as adults in the most serious crimes like kidnapping, murder, rape and robbery.
Due to the fire, 14 people have died so a charge of felony murder could be possible. It was not stated if this will be added to the charges.
The fire burned for five days inside the park and there was no threat outside. However, on Nov. 28, due to the 80 mph winds and a drought in the area, the blaze started to spread outside of the park. More than 2,400 homes and businesses were damaged in the fire, USA Today reported.
The teenagers are still at a juvenile detention in Sevier County. No dates have been announced regarding the next court appearance of the two.
