Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: New details have emerged regarding an early morning house fire Monday, July 31 on Chestnut Ridge Road in North Knox County.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office reports an apparent argument over food between 40 year-old Sidney Whitsell of Knoxville and his girlfriend of two weeks lead to Whitsell allegedly setting the home on fire and barricading his girlfriend in the basement.
The female victim was able to escape the blaze by forcing open the rear basement doors; she was located safely later in the day.
Police say Whitsell was located down the road from the home visibly intoxicated. He is facing charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated arson in addition to the original charge of public intoxication.
ORIGINAL STORY: One person is missing, and an investigation is underway following an early morning house fire in North Knox County.
Crews were called to the 9900 block of Chestnut Ridge Road to find the home engulfed in flames; they were told two people were inside the home.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office found one person down the street, but the second is still unaccounted for. Crews are now working to search the structure thoroughly for that person.
Rural Metro says water supply was a major issue, and they had to shuttle water from a hydrant several miles away.
No fire department injuries have been reported.
