2 Suspected Arson Fires Reported in Gwinnett

Gwinnett Fire investigators are treating two Wednesday afternoon fires as acts of arson, but they are not believed to be related.

Fires were reported around 3 p.m. in the 4800 block of Kellys Mill Drive in Lilburn, and just before 5 p.m. in the 2700 block of Cordite Loop in Snellville. Both fires were quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported.

There are no utilities to either home and no other apparent reason for the fires to start, Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said. Both are believed to have been intentionally set.

The Lilburn fire caused extensive damage to contents in the house, and sent smoke throughout the building. Firefighters found an active fire on the first floor when they arrived at 3:08 p.m., but quickly doused the flames.

The fire in Snellville started in the living room on the first floor, but was contained to the room, and caused moderate damage and filled the house with smoke.

According to a news release, “A squatter was seen frequenting the house in the recent past according to neighbors.”

Anyone with information on the fires is asked to call 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 those responsible.