Christmas time is the time for cheer, or at least it’s supposed to be. This holiday season two Tennessee youths have been placed in a Sevier County detention facility. The two have been permanently put on Santa’s naughty list as they’ve set fire to Tennessee. The arsonists caused more than $500 million dollars worth of damage, including the destruction of more than 2,400 house and businesses as well as some other structure. The two have scorched the grounds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,  with well over 20,000 acres killed in the fire. The fire also consumed the lives of 14 individuals and has injured 175 others. have

The adolescent Tennessee arsonists have yet to be convicted, but they could be facing charges of 60 years to life in prison, which will most likely happen, or could be facing as little to 12 years. To some, this still isn’t enough. “If in fact they did set the fire, and they did it on purpose, I cannot think of a punishment severe enough for them,” Kent Emmons told CNN. Emmons was a victim of the fire; her home was destroyed.

It’s been a week since the fire’s start, but it’s been getting progressively worse as the days pass by. The drought in the are and the 70 mile per hour winds have only served to aid the fire in it’s path of destruction. The fire that was once one has spread to be 10 and is reaching Gatlinburg, a popular town for tourist approximately 10 miles out from the original starting point. Emergency evacuations took place; some residents didn’t even have time to pack their bags… others never made it past the threshold of their doors.

As the fires raged, Greg Miller, the town’s fire chief respectfully asked, “If you’re a person of prayer, we could use your prayers,” (Kevin Conlon, CNN).

During this time of crisis, Santiago’s Journalism Team, Shark Attack, sends it’s condolences, love and support to those affected by the fire. Stay strong Tennessee!