Arson Confirmed In Pepperoni's Alehouse Blaze: Gwinnett Fire

DULUTH, GA – Gwinnett County fire investigators say that someone intentionally set a fire inside the Pepperoni’s Duluth Alehouse in the 2870 block of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, NW in Duluth. No one was injured.

Firefighters responded on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 12:21 a.m., to a report of a fire alarm activated in an adjoining business suite within the strip retail plaza. Fire crews were trying to locate the source of smoke that prompted the alarm in the neighboring business, when they discovered an odor and haze of smoke inside the restaurant. The fire was already out when firefighters gained access and was extinguished by a melted water line on a fountain drink machine.

According to fire investigators, sufficient evidence was found at the scene to indicate that someone set a fire inside the restaurant in order to destroy the property. Fire investigators collected samples of the fire debris to send to the lab to confirm whether accelerant was used to ignite the fire. Specific information about the evidence found at the scene or how the fire was set is not being released due to the ongoing investigation.

“We are fortunate that the restaurant and surrounding businesses were closed at the time and that no one was injured or killed,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge. “The crime of arson is a bold act, and those responsible will be held accountable,” Rutledge added. Arson is a serious felony crime and is punishable by one to 20-years imprisonment and associated fines.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigations Section at 678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804. Georgia Arson Control, Inc. offers a reward of UP TO $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for arson.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett Fire Department