After two successive fires on Jan. 28 and 29, a 24-hour fire watch has been instituted to supply a sense of security at Humes all-girl dormitory.  Following regulatory procedures, the Knoxville Fire Department and State Fire Marshal inspected the fifth-floor study room and a bulletin board on the third floor in Humes.  An investigation launched upon suspicion of arson began due to the possible connection between the two fires. 

Captain Keith Lambert of UTPD confirmed that a person of interest has been determined, and paperwork has been turned into the District Attorney's office to obtain a warrant.  The case is still being investigated, UTPD Captain Keith Lambert said. 

Lambert confirmed that a person of interest has been determined, and paperwork has been turned into the District Attorney's office to obtain a warrant.

The first fire on Jan. 28 occurred on the fifth-floor study room of Humes when a box of papers underneath a chair was set on fire, subsequently catching the chair on fire.  The fire was put out at 1:42 p.m. upon the arrival of the Knoxville Fire Department.  Humes residents could return to their rooms at 2:45 p.m. that afternoon, but fifth-floor residents were left in suspense.

Amanda Lucas, freshman in accounting and a Humes resident, was doing laundry in the basement of Humes during the first fire on Jan. 28. 

"It was scary.  Luckily none of our belongings was affected by the fire," Lucas said. 

Lucas spent five hours outside Humes as she awaited the verdict from fire marshals.  Three people, two staff members and the resident assistant on the sixth floor were hospitalized for smoke inhalation because of this first incident.  All were later released at 5 p.m. Monday evening.

Lucas received a text message from her roommate Elizabeth Madrid, freshman in journalism, about the second fire on Jan. 29.  Immediately after reading Madrid's message: "Humes on fire again," Lucas heard the wailing sirens heading to Humes.  A bulletin board caught on fire on the third floor of Humes sparking the second incident.

Because of the second incident, a 24-hour fire watch was put in place.  Lucas explained the fire watch consists of four cops making routine walks throughout Humes. 

"That means that every 30 minutes a cop was walking down your hall checking fire extinguishers, exits and anything suspicious. I do feel safer because they are there," Lucas said, who describes this entire experience as emotionally draining.