Downtown Gatlinburg under mandatory evacuation order due to wildfire.

[Twilight Sparkle]

They found the body of Constance Reed, but not the girls
http://wate.com/2016/12/03/gatlinburg-church-to-hold-news-conference-on-reed-family/

I was afraid this would be the case, but I was really hoping for a miracle. I fear the news about the girls might not be good, either. Each report on the lives lost just leaves me broken-hearted.

 

[Twende]

"BREAKING: Family tells WATE 6 On Your Side two bodies were found near Constance Reed. The grandmother believes they are Lily and Chloe."

I know someone else just reported it too. I was hoping for some crazy miracle like the people in the elevator. My gut always screamed otherwise but my heart was so hoping. The father and son are going to need so much support. Such a horrid way to die!

 

[Twende]

A 14th victim of the fire.

Elaine Brown, age 81, of Sevierville was confirmed dead Sunday evening by the National Park Service. Officials said she died as a result of a single-vehicle accident on Wears Valley Road while trying to flee from the fire.

I still have not heard about a Michael West who got separated from his wife and dogs. She was on one of the first video interviews from one of the shelters but I never heard if they ever found him.

 

[Shutterbug]

Just read that two juveniles have been charged with aggravated arson in starting this fire.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Just read that two juveniles have been charged with aggravated arson in starting this fire.

No details on their ages or genders...and while they are from Tennessee, they aren't from Sevier County.

 

[phinz]

No details on their ages or genders...and while they are from Tennessee, they aren't from Sevier County.

They could just as easily be from Cocke, Blount, Knox, Anderson or other surrounding counties. The word will get out among us locals. We'll know something very, very soon I'm sure.

 

[Govols1997]

They could just as easily be from Cocke, Blount, Knox, Anderson or other surrounding counties. The word will get out among us locals. We'll know something very, very soon I'm sure.

Another local. I'm anxious to know more details.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am originally from this area, phinz.
Moved away when DH and I were married many years ago.
But still visit often, and have family in two of the counties you mentioned.
I just checked the local news coverage online, and they seem to say that authorities are being very tight-lipped, and they seem to be expected to be very tight-lipped.

This is all just SO sad!!!!
So many innocent lives lost.
I had thought the total was 16, with the two girls?

 

[usnuzuloose]

They won't say much due to them being underage. I don't know if they will charge them as adults. This is one case I would like to hear about and what these kids have to say. I am so sorry for anyone who lost lives or anything due to this. My heart and prayers are with you all.

 

[phinz]

To be tried as adults one of the qualifying standards is community demand for it to happen. In a poll taken by the local TV station yesterday it was overwhelmingly (93%) in favor of moving the case to adult court. We'll see, but we'll also know very soon, I'm sure.

Death toll currently still stands at 14 according to local news outlets.

 

[pryncess527]

NM -- information not confirmed

 

[Tasha228]

Have they released the names of all 14 victims? I've only read of 11, I believe. Just wondering. Such a senseless act.

 

[Straitlover]

Have they released the names of all 14 victims? I've only read of 11, I believe. Just wondering. Such a senseless act.

I saw a list on the WATE website listing 13 of the 14:

http://wate.com/2016/11/23/4-smokies-trails-again-closed-due-to-another-wildfire/
http://wate.com/2016/12/02/6-victims-identified-in-sevier-county-wildfires/

 

[Tasha228]

I saw a list on the WATE website listing 13 of the 14:

http://wate.com/2016/11/23/4-smokies-trails-again-closed-due-to-another-wildfire/
http://wate.com/2016/12/02/6-victims-identified-in-sevier-county-wildfires/

Thank you! I had heard of all the victims except the first 2. I think the 14th is probably the lady they still haven't found. I can't remember her name. What a sad, sad tragic loss of life.

 

[Shmily1]

Any more news on these two?

 

[phinz]

Any more news on these two?

They were playing with matches. They are 15 and 17 years old and both are from Anderson County. A hiker had a picture of them walking away from the area with smoke behind them. They identified them by their clothes. The 17 year old is the son of an Anderson County Sheriff's Department employee and has a public defender. The 15 year old has a lawyer who is loathed by many but very good at what he does.

There's a local Knoxville article about it here: http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/...ying-matches-started-fatal-wildfire/95210356/

 

[Shmily1]

Thanks for the information. Such a sad way for so many to have lost their property or their lives. Some will be able to rebuild, some won't. Now add in the two families of these kids as casualties. I'm surprised they haven't charged them with anything more than aggravated arson so far.

 

[Hikergirl]

I really hope they seek felony murder charges, 15 and 17 are old enough to know the consequneces of "playing" with matches. For the sake of the families of the 14 people killed I hope justice is served to those teens.