Chattanooga man charged with setting family’s house on fire

E 26th Street arson / Chattanooga Fire Department

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man is being charged with aggravated arson for intentionally setting his family’s home on fire, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD).

Chattanooga police arrested Tychius Oronyae Johnson, 27, on Wednesday, January 3.

The fire department said Johnson set the house on fire out of anger after having a phone argument with his mom.

Tychius Johnson / Hamilton County Jail

Firefighters extinguished the house fire on E 26th Street at around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

Upon arrival, firefighters said heavy smoke was coming from an open door.

Johnson’s brother was home when the fire set, but he got out of the house without injury.

The living room was on fire due to Johnson setting the couch on fire, according to CFD. He had threatened to burn the house during the phone conversation, his brother informed police.

Fire investigators confirmed the fire was intentional.

The American Red Cross is assisting two displaced adults.