News Summary
Two men from Chattanooga have been arrested for separate arson incidents, including setting a vehicle ablaze and attempting to ignite a car during an altercation. These events have heightened concerns about fire-related crime in the community. Additionally, ongoing investigations into numerous purposely set structure fires in the surrounding area further underscore local safety issues.
Chattanooga – Two men from the Chattanooga area have been arrested on arson charges following separate incidents that occurred within the city this past week. These events have raised concerns about safety and fire-related crime in the community.
Steven White, a Chattanooga resident, was taken into custody after allegedly setting a vehicle on fire outside a business located on Workman Road at around 4:30 p.m. on a Wednesday. Eyewitnesses reported that White was acting erratically and yelling at firefighters when police arrived. Upon questioning, White confessed to igniting the fire due to frustrations over ‘not getting any water to drink.’ Neighbors disclosed that White had been seen loitering in the vicinity before the vehicle ignited, which raised suspicions about his behavior in the hours leading up to the incident. Following the fire, White was arrested and subsequently booked into the Hamilton County Jail.
In an unrelated incident, Darrell Smith, a man from Pikeville, has been charged with aggravated arson after a violent confrontation with his soon-to-be ex-wife. The altercation took place on Monday afternoon outside a Circle K gas station on Signal Mountain Boulevard. The dispute began the night prior when Smith allegedly took the ignition switch from his wife’s vehicle. After the couple had an argument while driving, they stopped at the Circle K parking lot. Reports indicate that Smith became aggressive, damaging his wife’s car’s dashboard, glove box, and passenger door when she refused to return the ignition key. In an alarming act, he lit napkins on fire and placed them underneath the passenger seat while his wife was still present in the driver’s seat. His wife managed to extinguish the flames using water from the car. Following the fire, Smith attempted to break the driver’s side window, claiming he had the right to burn his own property.
The spate of arson incidents comes as authorities in Grundy County are also investigating a series of ten separate structure fires that are believed to be purposely set around the town of Palmer, Tennessee. Law enforcement officials have reached out to the public for information that could aid their investigation into these destructive fires.
Furthermore, Chattanooga’s recent history of arson includes a significant fire at The Chattery, an adult education non-profit organization. The blaze, which has been confirmed as arson, resulted in considerable damages. A 21-year-old man named Michael Potter has been arrested and faces charges of arson, burglary, and vandalism in relation to this incident. The co-founders of The Chattery expressed their shock upon discovering the fire’s aftermath, initially suspecting it was an electrical issue. However, security footage revealed that an individual had broken into the facility and subsequently set the blaze. As they work to find new locations to temporarily host their classes, the co-founders have acknowledged and appreciated the community support that has been offered to help recover lost resources.
These incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding fire-related crimes in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas, prompting local law enforcement to strengthen their efforts against such dangerous activities as they continue to prioritize community safety.
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Additional Resources
- News Channel 9: Chattanooga Man Admits to Setting Fire in His Car
- Wikipedia: Arson
- Local 3 News: Chattanooga Man Arrested for The Chattery Fire
- Google Search: Fire Investigation Chattanooga
- Times Free Press: Two Arrested After Reported Arson at Mowbray Pike
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arson
- NBC 15: Chattanooga Man Charged with Attempted Arson
- Google News: Chattanooga Fire Arson
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
