Man charged after fire intentionally set at North Knoxville Baptist Church

On Wednesday morning, 14 October 2026, at about 6:30 a.m., the Knoxville Fire Department responded to a fire at North Knoxville Baptist Church off West Oldham Avenue and had it under control within 30 minutes. The fire started in the front foyer, and the church suffered smoke and water damage; no injuries were reported. KFD said the fire was intentionally set and that evidence at the scene and video helped identify a suspect. Justin Lee Hensley, 43, who had no known affiliation with the church, was found nearby and taken into custody at about 8 a.m.; he is charged with arson and burglary and held at the Knox County Detention Facility, and additional charges are possible.

Deliberately set church fire with an arrest. WVLT notes the suspect's name was first reported as Jeremy Lee Hensley and later corrected to Justin Lee Hensley. Coordinates are the Nominatim place_of_worship pin for North Knoxville Baptist Church. Also reported by WATE (https://www.wate.com/news/knox-county-news/fire-at-north-knoxville-baptist-church/) and WBIR.