Aggravated Arson Arrest Made In Downtown Fires

With the help of downtown businesses and the Chattanooga Police Department, the Chattanooga Fire Department was able to swiftly apprehend the suspect believed to be connected to a string of recent arson cases. Brandon England, 23, has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated arson following multiple dumpster and trash fires set overnight Monday (12/20/21) into the early morning hours of Tuesday (12/21/21). The intentional fires caused the evacuation of two apartment buildings and had CFD companies working at multiple locations. There were 11 dumpster and trash fires from Main Street to Cowart Street. It’s believed the fires were all set around the same time (midnight). Two apartment buildings (one at 14th & Market and the other at East Main & Market) had to be evacuated because smoke from the dumpster fires went throughout the structures, setting off the fire alarms. Heat from the fires in the enclosed dumpster areas set off the sprinkler systems in the trash chutes, which kept flames from spreading to the apartments. Both buildings were ventilated to remove the smoke and residents were then able to return to their homes. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Businesses in the impacted areas and Chattanooga police assisted in the investigation, leading to the suspect being identified, questioned and arrested on Tuesday afternoon. The fires could have damaged several businesses and buildings had it not been for the hard work of Chattanooga firefighters. The blazes also endangered the lives of all of the residents in the two apartment buildings. If the sprinklers had not done their job, the CFD could have been working two apartment fires at the same time and things could have been much worse. Teamwork and diligence led to the break in the investigation.

“Our firefighters did an outstanding job responding to so many fires in different locations all in the same timeframe and they were able to get everything extinguished quickly. Our investigators then worked to build the case and bring this to a close,” said CFD Operations Chief Rick Boatwright. “We appreciate all of the assistance we received from the community and CPD.”

The suspect could face additional charges in relation to these cases. 

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