By Jacqueline Koch
The Chattanooga Times Free Press
MOWBRAY MOUNTAIN, Tenn. — A Mowbray Mountain volunteer firefighter is accused of giving gasoline to a fellow firefighter, who poured the fuel on a vacant home, set it on fire, then waited for a call from the fire department, according to a grand jury indictment.
William Harris, 18, and George Lewis, 19, were indicted this week on charges of arson and conspiracy to commit arson. A Hamilton County grand jury issued the charges in connection with an Aug. 17 fire at 1601 Poe Road, a vacant residence near Mr. Harris’ home, according to the indictment.
At the scene, police recovered an orange container that held gasoline, according to the indictment. Mr. Harris allegedly poured gasoline into the container for Mr. Lewis, who then walked through the woods to the home, poured gasoline on the porch and started a fire, according to the indictment.
Both men started as junior firefighters with the department in Soddy-Daisy. The volunteer department offers teens a chance to serve before becoming full-fledged volunteers, Mowbray Fire Chief Joe Marland said.
While the department, which has 15 firefighters, does background checks on its adult volunteers, the option isn’t available for those under 18 years of age, he said.
The two teens were suspended while the fire was investigated, Chief Marland said. In the department’s 30-year history, no firefighter has ever been indicted on such charges, he said.
“They were young boys, and they got bored because they’re out of school,” Chief Marland said. “It’s just an unfortunate situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.”
Investigators determined that the fire likely started as a result of arson because of the presence of an accelerator, 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 earlier this week.
Mowbray Fire Department Board of Directors Chairman Bill McGriff said Friday that the indictments in no way undermine the hard work performed by the volunteer firefighters.
“The people there understand that these guys work very hard and do a great job for the residents of Mowbray Mountain and the service area, and they will continue to do that,” Mr. McGriff said.
Copyright 2009 Chattanooga Publishing Company