(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 24, 2016) – Firefighters responded on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 12:31a.m., to a report from a passerby of a fire at the La Jalisco Super Carniceria.  The store is located in the 472 block of Buford Drive, NE in Lawrenceville.  The caller was a passerby who saw smoke and flames coming from the building.  

Crews found heavy smoke inside on arrival and made immediate entry to combat the blaze and conduct a primary search.  The store was closed at the time and there was no one at the location when the fire department arrived.  There were no injuries reported.  The fire was quickly extinguished and was brought under control by 12:55a.m.  The blaze caused moderate damage to partial contents inside the store and also damaged part of the ceiling tiles.  There was extensive smoke throughout the business and residual water damage due to firefighting efforts. 

Per Fire Investigators, there was evidence of an incendiary fire and samples were collected for further lab testing.  Fire Investigators are not releasing specifics about how the fire was set, but did say that an unknown person(s) kicked in the rear door to the business and intentionally sparked the fire.  This is the third suspicious fire occurrence at the store in recent weeks.  All the fires are believed to be connected. However, a motive in the case is unknown at this point.  The case is an open-active arson investigation by the fire department.  Additional media information will be sent by the Fire-PIO when available. 

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigations Section at 678.518.4890.  Report any suspicious activity to Lawrenceville Police by calling 9-1-1.  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 serious felony crime and is punishable by one to 20-years imprisonment and associated fines.    

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 4-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Air & Light Unit, 1-Medic Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 2-Fire Investigators