Emergency management officials warn of Sevier County fire recovery scams

January 4, 2017 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated January 4, 2017 at 3:04 a.m.

by The Knoxville News Sentinel

Destroyed structures are pictured along Cherokee Orchard Road on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, in Gatlinburg. The wildfires killed 12 people. One more died of a heart attack and another in a vehicle accident fleeing the blaze. A total of 191 were treated for injuries suffered. More than 2,460 structures were damaged or destroyed. (Paul Efird/Knoxville News Sentinel)
Destroyed structures are pictured along Cherokee Orchard Road on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, in Gatlinburg. The wildfires killed 12 people. One more died of a heart attack and another in a vehicle accident fleeing the blaze. A total of 191 were treated for injuries suffered. More than 2,460 structures were damaged or destroyed. (Paul Efird/Knoxville News Sentinel)

GATLINBURG – The hunt is on for scam artists who might try to turn the Sevier County firestorm recovery into personal moneymakers.

"In the wake of a disaster, it's common to see the generous side of human nature," said Patrick Sheehan. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) director. "Unfortunately, there are also those people who may try to take advantage of victims during this stressful time."

A joint press release from TEMA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Tuesday warned Sevier County residents to beware of scams and frauds in the wake of the Nov. 28 fire that damaged or destroyed more than 2,460 structures in Sevier County.

Read more at our news partner's website, knoxnews.com.

Devastating Gatlinburg fires

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