McMinnville Dollar General deemed a Total Loss, Man Charged with Arson

Around 11:30 Friday morning, both the McMinnville Fire Department and Police Department responded to a fire at the Dollar General located at 1001 Sparta Street.

According to police, 19-year-old Matthew Howell admitted to starting the fire. Detective Chris Summers said he spoke with Howell after arriving at the scene and confirmed that he matched the description of someone seen running from the store. Howell was eventually found inside the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers building nearby.

Howell allegedly told officers he got upset during a phone call with his mother because she wouldn’t come pick him up. Out of frustration, he ran to Dollar General, grabbed a torch lighter, and set a bra on fire inside the store.

After starting the fire, Howell reportedly left the store and ended up back at the mental health building, where Summers made contact with him. After initially hesitating, Howell eventually confessed to setting the blaze.

Thankfully, no one was hurt, but there were three employees inside when the fire broke out. Howell was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated arson. His bond has been set at $30,000, and he’s scheduled to appear in court on April 15.

Authorities say the store suffered severe damage and is likely a total loss.