Investigators Seek 2 Teens Suspected in Arson Fire

Gwinnett Fire authorities are looking for two teenage boys wanted for allegedly starting a fire at an abandoned house on Lawrenceville Suwanee Road Friday night.

The fire resulted in a total loss of the house and forced the southbound lanes of Lawrenceville Suwanee to be temporarily shut down as firefighters fought the blaze. The fire started shortly before 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20.

No one was injured.

Witnesses told investigators two teens, both around 15 years old, were seen walking away from the house as it burned. Both are described as being about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with brown hair. One was wearing a green shirt and blue jeans; the other was shirtless and wearing jeans. They were last seen heading toward Covenant Life Church across the street.

The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at 6:50 p.m. The house was the site of a previous fire set some time ago, Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said in a news release.

“[The] fire is believed to have been intentionally set in an effort to cause damage to the property,” Rutledge said. “There are no utilities to the structure and no other reason for a fire to start. It is unknown at this point whether the two fires are related.”

Fire Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigations Section at 678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hot Line at 1-800-282-5804. Georgia Arson Control, Inc. offers a reward of UP TO $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Arson. Arson is a felony crime and is punishable by 1-20 years behind bars and significant fines.