Two juveniles are being charged with arson in connection to the Gatlinburg, Tennessee wildfire that has left 14 people dead. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters, as reported by CNN, said the fires have burned approximately 20,000 acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and caused an estimated $500 million in damage.
Officials quickly believed the fire, which destroyed over 2,400 homes and businesses and injured 175, was man made, and now authorities have two youths in custody for the crime. Residents are seeing red and want them to face the full consequences. Local prosecutor James Dunn told CNN that “everything is on the table” regarding their punishment.
If the suspects are convicted of aggravated arson, they could face 60 years in prison. And if they are charged with first-degree murder, they could possibly spend the rest of their lives in prison. CNN legal analyst Danny Cevallos said that even if the fire was not intentional, they could still face consequences: “This is pretty complicated. Depending on the facts of the case, even if they didn’t intend to kill anyone, they still could be charged with first-degree murder.”
While the fate of the two suspects is up in the air, local businesses are starting local relief funds to those affected, including Smart Bank, which is taking donations to help victims and their families recover.