Peachtree Corners Apartment Fire Was Arson: Investigators

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA -- Investigators are trying to determine who intentionally set a fire in a single apartment unit in Peachtree Corners.

On Thursday, firefighters responded at 9:41 p.m. to reports of a fire at the Village West apartment complex, in the 3800 block of Westchase Village Lane NW.

They entered the apartment where the fire was reported and discovered smoke, but the fire was already out.

"We are fortunate that the fire snuffed itself out before it had a chance to fully develop and spread any further," said Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services Capt. Tommy Rutledge, in a news release.

Investigators are not releasing some details of the case, which remains an active arson investigation, but said it was clear that the fire was intentionally set.

Occupants of the damaged apartment were in the process of moving out on the day of the fire and still had some of their belongings inside, Rutledge said.

Investigators have talked to management at the apartment complex, but had been unable to make contact with the occupants as of Friday afternoon.

The occupants weren't home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.

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 the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for arson.