A 21-year-old Chattanooga man has been charged with trying to start a fire at Parkridge East Hospital on Spring Creek Road in East Ridge.
On Wednesday at approximately 10:09 p.m., East Ridge Fire/Rescue and Police responded to the hospital in reference to a fire alarm with sprinkler activation.
Firefighters and police arrived to find a fire suppression sprinkler had been activated in the emergency room waiting area restroom. Water had poured from the sprinkler into the waiting room, lobby and triage area.
Hospital staff told investigators that a man was seen standing in front of the bathroom just after the sprinkler had been activated. He was drenched with water and had black soot on his clothing.
The suspect was detained by investigators and identified as Steven S. Brown.
Investigators found evidence that a fire had been initially set inside the restroom. Based on evidence gathered at the scene and witness statements, Brown was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and reckless endangerment.
Brown has a scheduled court date on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in East Ridge Municipal Court.