(Peachtree Corners, Ga., April 15, 2016) – Gwinnett County Fire Investigators are trying to determine who set fire inside a single apartment unit in Building-J at the Village West Apartment Complex, located in the 3800 block of Westchase Village Lane, NW in Peachtree Corners.  

Firefighters responded at 9:41p.m., on Thursday, April 14, 2016, after a resident of the complex called 9-1-1 to report an odor of smoke and the alarm sounding.  Firefighters gained access inside the apartment and discovered smoke.  The fire was already out when the fire department arrived and caused minor damage to the unit of origin.  “We are fortunate that the fire snuffed itself out before it had a chance to fully develop and spread any further, said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.

Per Fire Investigators, the blaze was intentionally set and is currently under active investigation as an act of arson.  Investigators are not releasing specifics about the case, but did classify the fire as incendiary in nature.  Occupants of the damaged apartment were in the process of vacating the premises and still had some of their belongings inside.  Fire Investigators have talked with management at the complex, but have been unable to make contact with occupants of the involved residence.  No one was at the apartment when the fire department arrived and there were no injuries reported.  

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.  Arson is a serious felony crime and is punishable by one to 20 years imprisonment and associated fines.

EQUIMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 1-Engine, 1-Ladder Truck and 2-Fire Investigators