By Jacqueline Koch
Chattanooga Times Free Press
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — Two volunteer firefighters are facing aggravated arson charges after being accused of starting at least one fire at a vacant residence on Mowbray Mountain then coming to the scene to put out the fire.
Mowbray Mountain firefighters George Lewis, 19, and William Harris, 18, were indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury in connection with a June 17 fire at 1601 Poe Road.
Investigators determined the fire likely started as a result of arson, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Janice Atkinson said.
“Investigators are continuing to look at other suspicious fires that have occurred in the Mowbray Mountain community to determine the possibility of future criminal charges,” Ms. Atkinson said.
Mowbray Fire Chief Olen Harris and board chairman Bill McGriff could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.
Volunteer fire departments operate as individual entities and are not governed by the county, officials said.
The Mowbray Mountain Volunteer Fire Department is in Soddy-Daisy.
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