2 Arrests Made In Pepperoni's Duluth Alehouse Arson Fire

DULUTH – Two people have been arrested by Gwinnett County Fire investigators in connection with the arson fire at Pepperoni’s Duluth Alehouse, located in the 2870 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, NW in Duluth.

Business owner Delilah Marie Smith, 57, and her live-in boyfriend Jerome Walker, 46 both of Duluth, have been charged with one-count each of first-degree arson and tools for the commission of a crime. Fire investigators took Smith and Walker into custody separately on Friday evening, Jan. 5. Both were booked at the Gwinnett County Detention Center and are currently being held without bond.

Firefighters responded to the fire on Jan. 2 at 12:21 a.m., after smoke from the fire activated the alarm in a neighboring business. The fire was already out when crews arrived and caused moderate damage inside the restaurant. The fire was quenched by a melted water line to a nearby fountain drink machine.

According to fire investigators, financial woes may be a substantial motive in the case. Fire investigators are not releasing specific information about the evidence found or the inconsistencies, but did obtain sufficient probable cause to secure felony arrest warrants charging the business owner and her boyfriend.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Fire