Investigators: Sunday night fire at Catholic Charities was intentionally set

Investigators have now determined a fire that badly damaged the administrative offices and an important ministry of Catholic Charites of East Tennessee in Knoxville on Sunday night was intentionally set.

Law enforcement officers, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, were on the scene of the fire on Monday and Tuesday and confirmed that arson was the cause of the blaze at 119 Dameron Ave.

Bishop Richard F. Stika will inspect the damage and meet with Catholic Charities staff members on Wednesday. 

“(Sunday) night’s fire was unfortunate for our administrative team, but it will have no negative impact on what we’re doing in the field,” said Lisa Healy, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

The offices will move to temporary quarters until the building at 119 Dameron Ave. can be restored, which may take months.

“We can manage this move. We have a few programs, like our Knoxville Pregnancy Help Center, which will need to move with us, but just about all of our other clients are served at other locations, and none of our services or clients will be impacted by this,”  Mrs. Healy said.