A home in Chamblee, Georgia was engulfed in flames after a 27-year-old man set a fire with his brother still inside, police said. Jonathan Braun Ray reportedly confessed to igniting the blaze in the basement of the residence located on Hilltop Drive, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The incident occurred Friday night and resulted in substantial damage to the home, leading authorities to believe the structure could be a complete loss.
DeKalb County Fire Department Captain Jaeson Daniels described the scene, "Upon arrival, they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence." He informed that everyone had exited the home by the time crews arrived. In a statement obtained by WSB-TV, Chamblee police revealed that Ray had been arrested and faced a charge of arson.
The suspect was also transported to the hospital with abdominal pain, while his brother received treatment for smoke inhalation, authorities reported. As of now, the motive behind starting the fire remains unclear. "It's reported that he admitted to starting [the fire] with gasoline. Gasoline accelerant," said Daniels in an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta.
Ray now faces a grave reality, with a potential fine of up to $50,000 and a prison term of one to twenty years if convicted for first-degree arson. As further police investigation unfolds, the question lingers on what prompted such a destructive and potentially lethal act.
