Tennessee Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators
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Arrests Made in Knoxville Apartment Fire

In a fire that left one woman with burns to 60% of her body and multiple apartment units damaged, police have arrested two women on charges of aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, and theft.

Firefighters responded to apartments at 3532 Old Valley View Drive in Knoxville Sunday afternoon.  After extinguishing the blaze, investigators determined the fire was suspicous. 

During the initial stages of the investigation, surveillance footage lead to the identification of the suspects' vehicle.  Late Sunday night the vehicle was spotted by police and stopped.  An arson K-9 detected an accelerant on the suspects who were identified as Rachael DeLapp and Brittany Pettiford, both age 19 and from Knoxville.

The female injured in the fire was initially transported to UT Medical Center but was flown to Vanderbilt's Burn Center in Nashville with burn injuries to more than 60% of her body.

 

Find out more on wate.com.

 

Related story on knoxnews.com - 'Bad drug deal' tied to Sunday arson fire, investigators say