A 13-year-old is facing multiple charges in connection with a string of fires in the Woodmore neighborhood of Chattanooga, according to a news release from the Fire Department.
The juvenile, who authorities have not publicly identified, was booked into the Juvenile Detention Center. He is charged with two counts of attempted aggravated arson and four counts of setting fire to personal property.
(READ MORE: ‘Aggravated’ Chattanooga man charged with aggravated arson)
Fire crews responded to the 700 block of Sylvan Avenue around 6 p.m. Tuesday to find a “fully involved vehicle fire,” the release stated. Upon further investigation, crews located a trash can on fire in front of another residence on Sylvan Avenue and a second car on fire parked at a home on the same street.
Investigators learned that nearby, in the 800 block of Aubrey Avenue, a fire was set on the front porch of an occupied home and on the front steps of another occupied home on the same street. A witness told investigators she was eating dinner at her Aubrey Avenue residence when she looked out her door to see her neighbor’s porch on fire and “spotted the suspect bent down next to a dark gray car and getting ready to set it on fire,” according to the release.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga man charged with arson after setting his parents’ home on fire)
Chattanooga police officers responded to the scene and found the juvenile hiding behind a house on East Avenue. He was arrested and charged after further investigation, authorities said.
“We appreciate the assistance of the Chattanooga Police Department in apprehending this young suspect before any further damage could be done,” fire Capt. Henry McElvain said in a statement. “We are very glad no one was injured in the series of fires.”
(READ MORE: Man charged with arson in Friday morning house fire in East Brainerd)
–– Compiled by Kiara Green
