Chattanooga fire investigators are trying to determine who might have set fire to some flowers at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Chattanooga police were the first to be called Tuesday morning after a groundskeeper discovered the charred remains of some flowers and small flags at the columbarium wall where cremated remains are interred. When police officers realized the vandalism primarily involved fire, they called for a fire investigator.
Lt. Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said the fire occurred sometime between last Friday night and Tuesday morning. He said the fire caused minimal damage, but desecration of a grave is a serious offense. If the perpetrator (perpetrators) are caught, the person could face local and federal charges. The investigation will continue.