A Lawrenceville home faced extensive damage Saturday night in a fire that officials believe was an act of arson. The blaze was reported shortly before 9 p.m. in the 3000 block of Iron Gate St., where firefighters battled the flames, confirmed Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services. Atlanta News First reported that the garage and the back side of the house were aflame upon the arrival of emergency crews.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, firefighters had to deploy three hose lines to suppress the fire, which had already caused significant damage to the property. Escaping without the aide of smoke alarms, which were not operational, the three adult occupants were alerted by a neighbor, leading to their fortunate evacuation. During the incident, one resident was treated at the scene for what was described as a "minor medical complaint."
Suspicion quickly turned towards the family's grandson, after a neighbor told authorities they witnessed him using gas cans to start the fire and subsequently attempt to flee the scene. Over a fence, attempting to escape, the neighbor detained the young man until police arrived, says the neighbor. Official statements have yet to confirm the identity of the suspect or any formal charges laid against him. Fire investigators at the Gwinnett County Police have confirmed that the fire was intentionally set, with the ground level back corner room cited as the starting point.
