Three Juveniles Charged With Starting Fire At Indian Mound Home For Boys

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has charged three teenage boys with starting a fire at the Indian Mound home for boys Tuesday night.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says the three boys, a 14 year old and two 16 year olds, are each charged with aggravated arson. All three are residents of the home.
They have been taken to a Juvenile Detention Center in Cookeville.
Sheriff Ray says the fire was reported around 8:58 p.m. Tuesday after a staff leader smelled smoke and went to investigate. The staff kept the fire contained until fire fighters arrived.
He says the fire started in the ceiling of the basement and burned some insulation around the air ducts. The boys apparently crammed toilet tissue and paper towels around the air ducts and set it on fire with a lighter.
Another fire was started under the stair case leading to the basement from a cardboard box that was set on fire.
None of the fifteen boys who reside at the home or any of the staff members were injured. The building was evacuated as a precaution.
Fire damage was reportedly kept to a minimum.
Members of the Johnson’s Chapel, Short Mountain Highway, and Midway Fire Stations responded.