The Knoxville Fire Department (KFD) has been actively investigating two separate fire-related incidents in which arrests have been made, targeting properties on Centerline Drive. As reported by WVLT, a 47-year-old man named Leif Jackson was arrested following a fire involving a moving van in the parking lot of Budget Truck Rentals. Firefighters, who arrived on the scene, discovered the vehicle fully engulfed in flames.
Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks stated, "Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from all areas of the truck." The investigators quickly determined that the fire had been intentionally set, with Jackson present at the scene. In addition, court records indicated that Jackson faced several charges, including reckless burning and vandalism. Notably, this incident was not his first involvement with fire-related crimes, as he had also been identified as a suspect in a previous November fire at a Home Depot, which caused minor damage, according to the same WVLT report.
In a report by WATE, it was detailed that the Home Depot incident saw building materials set ablaze in the front loading area. Fortunately, the quick response contained the damage to a minimal level. Jackson now faces a count of arson for that fire. His actions appear to show a pattern of disregard for property and public safety, with both fires occurring within proximity on Centerline Drive.
Simultaneously, KFD has dealt with another unrelated fire at the MLK Tower building on the Knoxville College Campus. In a statement obtained by the Knoxville Daily Sun, during the investigation of the small fire, a 53-year-old man by the name of Jermain Williams was found trespassing in the building. Subsequently, he was arrested and charged, with a count of criminal trespassing.
