SWEETWATER, Tenn. — A Dollar General employee has been arrested and charged after intentionally setting fire to the store, according to the Sweetwater Police Department.
According to SPD, the department responded to an alarm activation at the North Main Street location on Dec. 14. Upon arrival, officials observed smoke coming from the building and requested assistance from Sweetwater Fire Rescue. Fire crews discovered a structure fire and began to extinguish it with assistance from nearby fire departments.
During the investigation, officials were able to determine that the fire was intentionally set, SPD says. Detectives were called to the scene and identified Andrew Helton, an employee of the store, as a possible suspect who later confessed to setting the fire.
Helton has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated arson. He remains in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
