June 13, 2024

(Tybee Island, GA) - Four teenagers are facing criminal charges in connection to a dangerous fire in the Tybee Island dunes.

Around 1:30PM on Saturday, June 8th, Tybee Police and Fire personnel responded to the area of the beach near 16th Street, in reference to a fire in the dunes. Once on scene, law enforcement officers cleared the nearby pier as a precautionary measure, while firefighters worked to snuff out the flames. The fire, which encompassed approximately 80 square feet of the dune system, took about 40 minutes to completely extinguish. While the cause was not immediately determined, witnesses reported hearing a “popping” sound shortly before spotting the first flames.

During the course of a follow-up, detectives obtained images of three teenaged males, and one female, deemed to be “persons of interest” in the investigation. After releasing those photos to social media, Tybee police received several tips which led to four positive identifications. After interviewing the teens, detectives charged all four with Criminal Damage in the 2nd Degree, Burning of Woodlands, Brush, Fields or Other Lands, and Reckless Conduct. All charges will be forwarded to the Chatham County Juvenile Court.

The Tybee Island Police Department would like to thank the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, State Arson Investigators, and the social media community for all of their help during this investigation.