A Hamilton County man is charged with aggravated arson following an overnight fire that was intentionally started at Amazon’s facility.
Investigators say the suspect admitted to the crime when he was being questioned.
It happened just after 12 a.m. on Monday at 7200 Discovery Drive in Chattanooga on the second floor of the distribution center.
An employee, identified as Devin McCurry, 24, of Ooltewah, used a cigarette lighter to set several boxes on fire. McCurry was upset with some things in his personal life and lashed out, investigators learned.
Other workers spotted the flames and the fire was quickly put out with an extinguisher.
Officials said it was a dangerous situation because the fire could have spread to a multitude of other boxes on the shelves in the busy building. Several hundred people were working at the time and were evacuated.
CFD crews checked the area to ensure that the flames were totally out.
One employee was transported to the hospital because the fire extinguisher powder triggered respiratory problems.
McCurry was arrested and charged with aggravated arson after a confession and booked into the Hamilton County Jail.