Three Arson Suspects Sought in Norcross Fire

NORCROSS, GA -- Gwinnett County investigators are looking for help finding three suspects they believe robbed a Norcross home, then set it on fire.

The Monday blaze, which destroyed the home on DeKalb Lane in unincorporated Norcross, has officially been ruled an arson, fire officials announced Friday.

Witnesses reported seeing three men, possibly older teens, riding bicycles in the immediate area of the home about 50 minutes before the fire was reported, according to Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services.

A witness also told investigators that he found a back door of the home open when he looked to see if anyone was inside the burning house.

Fire investigators say rooms in the house appeared to have been ransacked, although it was unclear if anything was taken.

On Friday, investigators released a photograph of the suspects that they said was taken by a witness. The teens are not known to anyone in the neighborhood, a news release said.

Fire investigators, who are working with DeKalb Police burglary units, say they are now investigating whether there are any similarities with a second Norcross fire on Monday.

That fire, on Brooklyn Lane NW, was not initially considered suspicious.

The single-story, wood frame and brick house on DeKalb Lane was already heavily engulfed by the blaze when firefighters arrived around 5:30 p.m. Monday. The home and its contents were declared a total loss.

No one was at home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Fire officials ask anyone with information about the fire to contacted Gwinnett Fire's investigations section at (678) 518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804. Georgia Arson Control offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of arsonists.

(Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services)