Attempted House Fire in Snellville Ruled Arson

Gwinnett County fire investigators are trying to determine who set a fire on the outside wall of a Snellville home last week while at least one person who lives there was inside.

Firefighters responded to the blaze, in the 2700 block of Oak Meadow Lane SW in Snellville, at about 9:12 p.m. on Saturday.

The homeowner had been in the basement of the home watching television when he told fire officials he saw a bright glow from the back of the house. He went outside to find the side of the house ablaze and the gate to a privacy fence open.

The homeowner was able to put the fire out himself before firefighters arrived.

According to investigators, someone entered the property through the unsecured gate and lit some type of flammable liquid to start the fire.

The homeowner said he didn’t see anyone when he went outside. Investigators were interviewing neighbors to see if they may have seen anyone in the area.

“We are extremely fortunate that the fire was not more serious and that no one was hurt,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge. ”This was a bold act, perpetrated by someone intent on damaging property and without concern for the threat to human life.”

Anyone with information 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 an arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for arson.

Arson is a felony and is punishable by one to 20 years behind bars and associated fines.