Update on Gatlinburg, TN wildfires
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
United States
December 10, 2016 6:38am CST
It turns out that the two teens who have been accused of starting the initial fire at Chimmney Tops in the Smoky Mountains are 15 and 17 years old.
They were identified from a video taken by another tourist. The video shows the boys walking the trail with the fire behind them. They were identified by their clothing.
They still have only been charged with aggravated arson but they could face murder felony charges for the 14 deaths. This case is still under investigation and they are keeping their options open.
Gatlnburg opened for business on Friday and tourists and locals alike flocked to the town to show their support.
The two teenage boys were allegedly caught on film as they walked along a mountain trail and threw lit matches into the forest. According to a new report published by The Tennessean, the two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, were both arrested and charged with ag
11 people like this
9 responses
@Marilynda1225 (91201)
• United States
10 Dec 16
no sympathy from me either Fredo
1 person likes this
@Beatburn (4286)
• Philippines
10 Dec 16
@AbbyGreenhill Great work for the police. Now those teens should serve justice.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Dec 16
@Beatburn Yes, great work now to get them punished.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
11 Dec 16
I am just baffled at why they would do this. Were they just fooling around, and being dumb, or did they want to see things burn
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
11 Dec 16
When you light matches and toss them into an extremely dry Forrest, you would have to be stupid not to realize what you were doing.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
11 Dec 16
@AbbyGreenhill yeah, but isn't that the definition of a teenaged boy?
@Marilynda1225 (91201)
• United States
10 Dec 16
It just boggles my mind wondering what kids like this are thinking when they start a fire. Aren't they old enough to know what damage and loss of life can result? Then again maybe it's their goal? Sad that all the people in Tennessee had to suffer because of these two delinquents. I hope they throw the book at them.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Dec 16
It should be interesting to hear 'their side of the story' sometime in the future.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
10 Dec 16
At that age they surely are aware of the results of fire in the forest. They should take full responsibility. They are responsible for so many deaths and so much destruction through their stupidity. That was beyond foolishness.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Dec 16
We have a neighbor who burns his trash in a big metal can. We are still under a burn ban until the 15th. He doesn't care, he burns and he has no water supply near where he burns - an ember can fly into the woods and it would be Gatlinburg all over again. Idiots.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Dec 16
@Morleyhunt We have an all vol. fire department. We are in the boonies.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
10 Dec 16
@AbbyGreenhill if we had lit a fire...of any kind when the burn ban was in place...the fire department would have doused the fire....the fire department will send you the bill. Then the city would also give you a substantial fine. There were no fires.
@celticeagle (190074)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Dec 16
Glad that people are showing support to the town. Also glad to know how old these two are. I wonder if they will be charged for all the deaths. Interesting.
@celticeagle (190074)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Dec 16
@AbbyGreenhill .....Ugh! Here's a article I found that is rather interesting. Have to scroll way down to get it all.
The teenagers, ages 15 and 17, were hiking the Chimney Tops trail in Tennessee on November 23 and tossing matches on the ground — which sources say set off the deadly blaze.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Dec 16
They could be charged. Court date was postponed to next week.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Dec 16
Yes, absolutely. We have friends who live/work in G'burg and they have told us many stories, some good, some bad.
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
10 Dec 16
The entire thing is just so terrible. So many lives lost and so many forever changed.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Dec 16
Yes innocent people and it could have been any of us
