2016 — Nov 28, Chimney Tops 2 Wildfire hits Gatlinburg, Sevier County, TN — 14

— 14  Knoxville News Sentinel. “Authorities charge two teens in Gatlinburg wildfires.” Dec 7

— 14  WBIR.com. “Sevier County officials confirmed 14th fatality.” 12-6-2016; 11:11 AM EST.

 

Narrative Information

 

Dec 2, ABC News: “A total of 13 deaths have now been confirmed in the massive wildfires that have devastated eastern Tennessee’s Sevier County, officials said today. The fires, described as the state’s largest in 100 years, are believed to be human-caused, authorities said.[1]

 

“Twelve of the victims died as a direct result of the firestorm, and one victim died of a heart attack while trying to escape a blaze, officials said at a news conference this morning. The briefing was held in Gatlinburg — one the worst-hit cities in Sevier County.

 

“The identifies of six of the 13 deceased have been confirmed, Waters said….

 

“At least 85 other people have been injured as a direct result of the fires, and more than 1,000 structures have been severely damaged or destroyed, according to Waters….

 

“Officials noted that an evacuation alert was sent out to mobile phones in the area around 9:04 p.m. Monday [Nov 28], though power outages made some notifications difficult to send. One official noted that if some people did not receive the alert sent out then, “of course we’re unsatisfied.”….” (ABC News (Avianne Tan) “Death Toll in Tennessee Wildfires Rises to 13 as Recovery Efforts Are underway.” 12-2-2016.)

 

Dec 2, WTOL: “….The fire began Monday [Nov 28] on Chimney Top Mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains, according to TEMA.[2] Wind speeds doubled at around 6 p.m. Monday, causing the flames to spread rapidly. Gatlinburg Fire Chief Gregory Miller said wind speeds reached 87 mph at one point, which is the same level as hurricane-force winds.

 

“Local law enforcement officers say the early evidence shows the wildfire was caused by humans, but fallen power lines also ignited flames in other areas….” (WTOL 11, Toledo OH. “Death toll rises to 13 in Smoky Mountains wildfires.” 11-28-2016, updated 12-2-2016, 5:43.)

 

Dec 5: “….The disaster began on Nov. 28 when hurricane-force winds topping 90 mph spread embers from a then-500 acre fire near the Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains. Downed power lines and felled trees started several new fires, and in the span of a quarter-hour, the flames raced toward Gatlinburg and beyond, forcing mandatory evacuations of the resort town and parts of Pigeon Forge. Officials now estimate 1,684 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fires, and at least 134 people have sustained injuries….” (Knoxville News Sentinel/Travis Dorman and Megan Boehnke. “Gatlinburg wildfires death toll climbs to 14.” 12-5-2016.)

 

Dec 7: “Sevier County and Tennessee Bureau of investigation officials announced Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, that two juveniles are in custody in connection with the fires that resulted in 14 deaths in the Gatlinburg area and damage to over 1,700 structures.” (Knoxville News Sentinel (Tyler Whetstone), TN. “Authorities charge two teens in Gatlinburg wildfires.” 12-7-2016.)

 

Dec 8: “Two juveniles have been arrested and charged with arson for allegedly starting the fire that killed at least 14 people in east Tennessee last month. They might be tried as adults, and authorities say there might be more arrests. Prosecutors say the two minors started a fire on Nov. 23, according to a statement from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

 

“Feeding off a drought-stricken forest, the Chimney Tops 2 fire grew inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On Nov. 28, it swept into Gatlinburg, a popular tourist destination.

 

“More than 14,000 people were evacuated from Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge…

 

“The fire was nightmarish, moving swiftly as it was propelled by powerful winds. Embers were flung as far as a mile, and where they landed, new flames burst up….” (NPR. “2 Juveniles Charged With Arson, Suspected of Starting Deadly Tennessee Wildfire.” 12-8-2016, 9:56 AM.)

 

Dec 9: “The teenagers charged with setting the fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that ultimately spread to torch thousands of homes and businesses and kill 14 people were horsing around with matches, sources say.

 

“The boys, ages 17 and 15, were charged this week in Sevier County Juvenile Court with aggravated arson in the Nov. 28 wildfires that shut down the city of Gatlinburg at the height of its winter tourism season and damaged or destroyed more than 2,400 homes and businesses….

 

“Sources familiar with the teenagers and the investigation but not authorized to speak publicly about the case say the two boys are friends and live in Anderson County. The boys were hiking on the Chimney Tops trail in the park on Nov 23 and tossing lit matches onto the ground around the trail, the sources said. A hiker unwittingly captured an image of the boys walking away from the trail with smoke in the background, and the teenagers’ clothing helped authorities identify them, according to sources.

 

“The oldest boy is the son of an Anderson County Sheriff’s Office employee, according to sources….

 

“Authorities have said they believe last week’s deadly wildfires began with the Nov. 23 blaze at Chimney Tops. The fire initially did not pose a threat to Gatlinburg or surrounding areas, but on Nov. 28, hurricane-style winds hit Sevier County and spread the embers of the fire already burning in the park to lower elevations. Prosecutors would need to show the boy’s actions — by playing with matches — directly resulted in the deaths of the fire victims. Any action or inaction by the National Park Service in handling the Chimney Tops blaze would come into play should felony murder charges be sought.” (Knoxville News Sentinel, TN (Jamie Satterfield). “Sources: Teen toying with matches started Gatlinburg wildfire.” 12-9-2016, 6:48 p.,. EST.)

 

Identified Victims:

 

  1. Elaine Brown, 81, of Sevierville. “Med. event”/Auto accident fleeing fire; Wears Valley Rd.[3]
  2. Alice Hagler, 70, Chalet Village (collection of rental cabins). (Knoxville News-Sentinel.)
  3. Robert Hejny, 63, body discovered at Traveler’s Motel in Gatlinburg.[4]
  4. Pamela Johnson, missing, last seen at destroyed Traveler’s Motel, presumed dead.[5]
  5. Bradley Phillips, 59; body found on Long Hollow Rd. TN EMA news release.[6]
  6. Constance Reed, 34, trying to escape wildfire near her Gatlinburg-area home.[7][8]
  7. Chloe Reed, 12, daughter of Constance Reed. TN Emer. Mgmt. Agency news release.[9]
  8. Lily Reed, 9, daughter of Constance Reed. TN Emer. Mgmt. Agency news release.[10]
  9. Janet Summers, 60, Chalet Village, visiting from Memphis, TN. (ABC News, 12-2-2016.)[11]
  10. Jon Summers, 61, Chalet Village, visiting from Memphis, TN. (ABC News, 12-2-2016.)[12]
  11. Reverend Edward Taylor, 85, Gatlinburg resident. Smoke inhalation, outside is home.[13]
  12. Marilyn Teglar, 70, Chalet Village, Canada[14] (Knoxville News-Sentinel, 12-2-2016)
  13. John Teglar, 71, visiting from Canada. (Knoxville News-Sentinel, 12-2-2016.)
  14. May Vance, 75, Gatlinburg resident, died from heart attack related to smoke inhalation.[15]

 

Sources

 

ABC News (Avianne Tan) “Death Toll in Tennessee Wildfires Rises to 13 as Recovery Efforts Are underway.” 12-2-2016. Accessed 12-2-2016 at: http://abcnews.go.com/US/death-toll-tennessee-wildfires-rises-13-recovery-efforts/story?id=43927471

 

Associated Press, Gatlinburg. “5 more victims’ names released in Gatlinburg wildfires.” WDBJ 7, Roanoke, VA. 12-4-2016, 2:35 PM. Accessed 12-4-2016 at: http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/5-more-victims-names-released-in-Gatlinburg-wildfires-404626606.html

 

Knoxville News Sentinel (Tyler Whetstone), TN. “Authorities charge two teens in Gatlinburg wildfires.” 12-7-2016. Accessed 12-8-2016 at: http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2016/12/07/state-authorities-update-sevier-county-wildfires-investigation/95097500/

 

Knoxville News-Sentinel (Rachel Ohm), TN. “Gatlinburg wildfire death toll still at 13.” 12-2-2016. Accessed 12-2-2016 at: http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2016/12/02/gatlinburg-wildfire-death-toll-reaches/94799884/

 

Knoxville News Sentinel (Travis Dorman and Megan Boehnke). “Gatlinburg wildfires death toll climbs to 14.” 12-5-2016. Accessed 12-16-2016 at: http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2016/12/04/overnight-rain-brings-relief-smoky-mountain-wildfire-efforts/94951992/

 

Knoxville News Sentinel (Jamie Satterfield). “Sources: Teen toying with matches started Gatlinburg wildfire.” 12-9-2016, 6:48 p.,. EST. Accessed 12-10-2016 at: http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2016/12/09/sources-teens-toying-matches-started-fatal-wildfire/95210356/

 

NPR/Camila Domonoske. “2 Juveniles Charged With Arson, Suspected of Starting Deadly Tennessee Wildfire.” 12-8-2016, 9:56 AM ET. Accessed 12-8-2016 at: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/08/504802052/2-juveniles-charged-with-arson-suspected-of-starting-deadly-tennessee-wildfire

 

WATE 6, ABC. “13 victims identified in Sevier County wildfires.” 12-2-2016, 9:50 pm. Accessed 12-8-2016 at: http://wate.com/2016/12/02/6-victims-identified-in-sevier-county-wildfires/

 

WBIR (Brittany Bade and John North), Knoxville, TN. “Like a mom: Friends remember Pam Johnson, missing since disastrous Sevier fire.” 12-8-2016. Accessed 12-10-2016 at: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/wildfire/friends-remember-pam-johnson-missing-since-disastrous-sevier-fire/365390076

 

WBIR.com, Knoxville, TN. “Sevier County officials confirmed 14th fatality.” 12-6-2016; 11:11 AM EST. Accessed 12-6-2016 at: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/gatlinburg-officials-a-fire-for-the-history-books/357912872

 

Weather Channel (Ada Carr). “Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Fire Kills 12 as Authorities Begin to Identify Victims.” 12-2-2016, 7:03 PM EST. Accessed 12-2-2016 at: https://weather.com/news/news/tennessee-gatlinburg-sevier-fires

 

WLOS 13, Western NC. “Local, state, and federal officials update on devastating Tennessee fires.” 12-3-2016. Accessed 12-4-2016 at: http://wlos.com/news/local/local-state-and-federal-officials-update-on-devastating-sevier-county-fires

 

WREG, Memphis, News Channel 3 (Daniel Rubio). “Death toll rises to 14 from Gatlinburg area wildfires.” 12-4-2016, 7:50 PM. Accessed 12-8-2016 at: http://wreg.com/2016/12/04/now-14-dead-from-gatlinburg-wildfires/

 

WTOL 11, Toledo OH. “Death toll rises to 13 in Smoky Mountains wildfires.” 11-28-2016, updated 12-2-2016, 5:43 pm EST. Accessed 12-2-2016 at: http://www.wtol.com/story/33810410/death-toll-rises-to-13-in-smoky-mountains-wildfires

 

 

 

 

[1] Another source cites the National Park Service as source of statement that the wildfire was “human-caused.” (Knoxville News-Sentinel (Rachel Ohm), TN. “Gatlinburg wildfire death toll still at 13.” 12-2-2016.)

[2] Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

[3] WBIR.com. “Sevier County officials confirmed 14th fatality.” 12-6-2016; 11:11 AM EST; WREG, Memphis, News Channel 3 (Daniel Rubio). “Death toll rises to 14 from Gatlinburg area wildfires.” 12-4-2016, 7:50 PM.

[4] WATE 6, ABC. “13 victims identified in Sevier County wildfires.” 12-2-2016, 9:50 pm.

[5] NPR. “2 Juveniles Charged With Arson, Suspected of Starting Deadly Tennessee Wildfire.” 12-8-2016. Another source writes that Pamela Johnson was last seen at the Travelers Motel on Highway 321, where she lived, and which was consumed in the fire, killing another resident there, Robert A Hejny. Article notes that Johnson “is perhaps the only known person unaccounted for since the disastrous Nov. 28 blaze…” (WBIR, Knoxville TN. “Like a mom: Friends remember Pam Johnson, missing since disastrous Sevier fire.” 12-8-2016.)

[6] AP. “5 more victims’ names released in Gatlinburg wildfires.” WDBJ 7, Roanoke, VA. 12-4-2016, 2:35 PM.

[7] Address where victims were located noted as 347 Wiley Oakley Drive. (WLOS 13, Western NC. “Local, state, and federal officials update on devastating Tennessee fires.” 12-3-2016.)

[8] AP. “5 more victims’ names released in Gatlinburg wildfires.” WDBJ 7, Roanoke, VA. 12-4-2016, 2:35 PM.

[9] AP. “5 more victims’ names released in Gatlinburg wildfires.” WDBJ 7, Roanoke, VA. 12-4-2016, 2:35 PM.

[10] AP. “5 more victims’ names released in Gatlinburg wildfires.” WDBJ 7, Roanoke, VA. 12-4-2016, 2:35 PM.

[11] Also: Knoxville News-Sentinel (Rachel Ohm), TN. “Gatlinburg wildfire death toll still at 13.” 12-2-2016.

[12] Also: Knoxville News-Sentinel (Rachel Ohm), TN. “Gatlinburg wildfire death toll still at 13.” 12-2-2016.

[13] WATE 6, ABC. “13 victims identified in Sevier County wildfires.” 12-2-2016, 9:50 pm; AP. “5 more victims’ names released in Gatlinburg wildfires.” WDBJ 7, Roanoke, VA. 12-4-2016, 2:35 PM — cites TEMA news release.

[14] According to another source the Tegler’s had “dual American and Canadian citizenship” and “were vacationing at their home near Gatlinburg for the Thanksgiving weekend.” (WATE 6, ABC. “13 victims identified in Sevier County wildfires.” 12-2-2016, 9:50 pm.)

[15] ABC News (Tan) “Death Toll in Tennessee Wildfires Rises to 13 as Recovery Efforts Are underway.” 12-2-2016.