Arson To Blame For Barber Shop Fire, Officials Say

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- A fire that damaged a Lawrenceville barber shop was set intentionally, fire officials say.

Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services investigators are looking for who may have set the fire at The Barber Shop, also known as Family Hair Stop, at 121 Hurricane Shoals Rd. NE in Lawrenceville.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 12:34 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, finding flames visible from the back of the building.

The fire was mostly contained to the outside of the building and caused only cosmetic damage, Gwinnett Fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said Thursday.

There was some smoke and fire damage inside, he said, at a spot where flames entered around a window-mounted air conditioning unit.

"Fortunately, the roof did not ignite, which could have caused even greater damage to the structure," Rutledge said.

The business was closed at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.

Investigators found what they believed to be gasoline poured on the side of the building and part of the roof.

Surveillance footage showed an unidentified man loitering at the back of the business moments before th fire, according to Rutledge.

The man is seen wearing a light-colored hooded windbreaker and camo shorts and carrying a plastic gas can.

Investigators urge anyone with information about the fire to call the fire department at (678) 518-4890 or police at (770) 513-5911.

Georgia Arson Control, Inc. offers a reward of UP TO $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people responsible for arson. Call the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804.