One arrested in Sweetwater Dollar General arson

SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A suspect has been arrested in connection to an arson incident at a Dollar General in Sweetwater.

Officers with the Sweetwater Police Department (SPD) responded to 844 N Main Street for an alarm activation on December 14, 2024.

When officers arrived, they observed smoke coming from the building.

Sweetwater Fire Rescue were then quickly dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, fire crews began extinguishing the flames with assistance from other nearby organizations.

According to SPD, it was determined that the fire was intentionally started.

SPD detectives were able to quickly identify the suspect, Andrew Helton.

Helton is an employee at the Dollar General.

He was located and brought in for questioning, where he confessed to starting the fire.

Helton was then arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Arson.