Flames flared up beside a downtown Knoxville gas station before dawn Saturday, ending with one person burned and another in handcuffs on an arson charge, according to officials.
Knoxville Fire Department crews were called around 3:53 a.m. on July 25 to the Quick Stop at 815 W. Baxter Ave., where a campsite next to the business was on fire, WVLT reported. Firefighters knocked the flames down quickly, and there was no reported structural damage to the station or nearby buildings.
Someone who had been sleeping near the campsite suffered minor burns and was treated at the scene, officials said.
Investigators Say Blaze Followed Dispute
The scene looked suspicious enough that KFD’s fire investigators stepped in. After reviewing what happened, they concluded the blaze had been intentionally set following a dispute between a victim and a suspect, according to the department.
Investigators said the victim had been asleep when the fire was lit and suffered minor burn injuries. KFD’s Fire Investigations Unit has dealt with similar incidents before and made arrests in prior cases, per the City of Knoxville.
Suspect Named In Arson, Assault Case
Investigators identified the suspect as 39-year-old Lindy Henegar, who is charged with arson and assault, according to WVLT. The outlet reported that authorities did not immediately release information on whether Henegar had been booked into jail or when any court appearance might be scheduled.
As with any active investigation, those charges are allegations that must be proven in court. KFD said the investigation remains ongoing and that more details could be released as the case moves forward.
