Gwinnett County Fire Investigators are working to determine who is responsible for intentionally setting fire to a house in the 1100 block of Kibbe Circle, NW in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville. 

The blaze occurred on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 around 6:30 a.m.  A neighbor called 9-1-1 after seeing smoke and flames pouring from the home.  Neighbors initially tried to douse the fire with a garden hose and knocked at the front door to alert anyone inside.  There was no answer at the door and attempts to quench the flames before fire trucks arrived were unsuccessful. 

Firefighters found the right-side of the home and part of the attic in flames.  Crews quickly deployed fire attack and supply hose lines to battle the blaze.  Firefighters had to force the lock on the front door to gain entry inside the burning home.  Crews conducted a primary search for victims as they stretched hose lines to extinguish the fire.  A dog was rescued from inside the home during the primary search and required medical oxygen administration by fire crews.  The dog was doing fine and was turned over to the owner at the scene.  The occupants were not home at the time of the fire and have since been in touch with Fire Investigators.  There were no human injuries reported.  A total of 2-adults and 3-children were displaced from the home due to the extensive damage. 

According to Fire Investigators, multiple points of origin were found on the exterior of the home.  The fire quickly spread inside via the exterior wall and raced to the attic.  Fire Investigators collected evidence at the scene and took samples for lab testing.  It is believed that an accelerant was used to spark the blaze.  Specific information about how the fires were set or the evidence collected is not being released based on the ongoing investigation. 

A motive in the case has not yet been established, and Fire Investigators are asking anyone with information to please come forward.  “This blaze was a bold act, that could have placed a number of people in extreme danger,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.  Arson is a serious felony crime and is punishable by one to 20-years imprisonment and associated fines.

Anyone with information about the blaze or the person(s) responsible 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.

DROPBOX VIDEO/PHOTO LINK: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vyrjzwyvkjhtg8a/Gwinnett%20House%20Fire%20-%20ARSON%20-%20Kibbe%20Circle%20in%20Lawrenceville%2007-05-17.mp4?dl=0