Gwinnett Man Burned Woman's Bedroom: Investigators

DULUTH, GA — A Gwinnett County man has been charged with arson after investigators say he set fire to the bedroom of a woman he knew.

John Oh Kim, 23, of Duluth, is charged with first-degree arson, first-degree burglary, aggravated assault and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

The fire happened on April 13 in the 2200 block of Ewell Park Drive in Lawrenceville. It was discovered around 1:55 p.m. by two people who were on the upper floor of a three-story townhouse unit, fire investigators say.

The pair was alerted by a smoke alarm and went downstairs to find smoke and flames in the bedroom, according to Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge.

According to investigators, Kim came into the townhouse through a side door and intentionally started the fire in the bedroom. Samples collected at the scene tested positive for gasoline, Rutledge said.

The fire caused minor damage in the room and was quickly put out with a garden hose by the residents who had responded. It was already out when firefighters arrived.

All of the charges against Kim are felonies. He was arrested at his job on Tuesday and taken to Gwinnett County Detention Center by police.

According to investigators, Kim was identified as a suspect in the case by the victims. Fire officials describe the victim as "a former acquaintance" of Kim's and say the crime was domestic-related.

"Arson is a serious felony crime and certainly threatened the lives of the two people who were inside the townhome unit," Rutledge said. "We are fortunate that no one was injured or killed and that the damage was not more severe."

Photo courtesy Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services