KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Fire Department said a man was arrested after a fire at a Cedar Bluff Dollar General.
On May 14, around 3 p.m., 31-year-old Daniel Lee Nelson was pushing a shopping cart around the Dollar General when he went to the back of the store, arrest warrants state.
Nelson stopped at an endcap containing paper products. Smoke and flames became visible within 30 seconds of Nelson walking away from the endcap, according to arrest warrants.
Nelson looked several times at the fire but didn't alert anyone. He went to the front of the store and watched several people exit before he got into a silver SUV and left the parking lot, arrest warrants state.
Nelson admitted on Monday, May 20, that he set fire to the Dollar General by igniting some paper in the store with a lighter, according to arrest warrants.
The fire caused more than $1 million in damage, the Knoxville Fire Department said. Nelson was taken into custody and was charged with one count of aggravated arson.
Nelson is being held at the Knox County Detention Facility.