SWEETWATER, Tenn — A 34-year-old man admitted to setting his Sweetwater workplace on fire with toilet paper and a lighter, according to court records.
Andrew Helton is charged with two counts of aggravated arson in connection to the fire at a Dollar General on Dec. 14.
According to Sweetwater Police Department, officers responded to an alarm activation at the North Main Street location. Upon arrival, officials saw smoke coming from the building and requested help from Sweetwater Fire Rescue. Crews began to extinguish the flames with assistance from nearby fire departments.
Police spoke with an employee who said just himself and Helton worked until close that night, according to the affidavit of complaint. Officers went to Helton's home in Madisonville where he agreed to an interview.
According to the affidavit, Helton admitted to setting the fire in the toilet paper aisle by using a lighter he got from a store shelf. He said he got the toilet paper from the damaged stock and used it to start the fire about 30 minutes before he left work, the affidavit states.
Helton also admitted to starting a fire in the same section of the store on Dec. 12 by using toilet paper and arts and crafts supplies, according to court records.
No injuries were reported.