KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A brush fire that broke out Friday afternoon in North Knoxville is now 100% contained and a person has been charged with starting the blaze, according to the Knoxville Fire Department.
Assistant Chief Mark Willbanks said the fire on the ridge behind Lynnhurst Cemetery is believed to be human-caused. The blaze was estimated to be roughly five acres in size.
Damon True, 41, was arrested and charged with setting fire to personal property or land. Wilbanks said that the suspect walked into a nearby store and told the employee he had set the fire and was going to set another. He was found near a business on Old Broadway and taken into custody.
Fire officials will continue to monitor the area throughout the night.
No structures were damaged by the fire. However, KFD said there was one that they had believed was threatened.
Knoxville Police warned people in the area to be aware of the fire. They are assisting with traffic and on the perimeter of the fire.
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Multiple wildfires have been reported over the past week, fueled by the dry conditions. In the last week, two human-caused wildfires in Knox County were reported, despite the burn ban in place for the county.
