KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Two people have been arrested following an apartment fire that the Knoxville Fire Department said was intentionally set.
Wendy Ann Franklin, 48, of Knoxville is facing aggravated burglary, theft of property, aggravated arson, and drug charges. Paul Sexton Jr., 33, has been charged with theft of property. Franklin and Sexton were taken into custody at an apartment complex on Sevier Avenue on January 23.
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On January 11, a fire started at an apartment on Mystic River Way at the Holston Ridge Apartments in North Knoxville. The Knoxville Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit determined the fire had been intentionally set. According to a release, investigators determined that Franklin had started the fire, while Sexton has been accused of selling property stolen during the burglary of the apartment.
The building did not suffer significant damage following the fire as the sprinkler system quickly put it out. However, the apartment where the fire started suffered fire, smoke, and water damage.