(Lilburn, Ga., July 31, 2021) – A fire engine was at the intersection of Indian Trail Lilburn Road and Steve Reynolds Boulevard when the attentive crew noticed a column of smoke south of the intersection. The crew found the source was a working fire at a previously burned residential structure at 1047 Indian Trail Lilburn Road in Lilburn. Upon notifying the E911 Communications Center via radio, communication officers were processing a passerby report for the house fire and started additional crews to their location.

On arrival, firefighters observed visible smoke and flames inside a room on the front-left corner of the residence. Upon completing a walk-around of the structure, crews found the home was a vacant single-story residence on a basement that had been significantly damaged by fire approximately three weeks ago. A pressurized water extinguisher was deployed to quickly darken down the flames from the door adjacent to the carport. A fire attack hose line was deployed to complete extinguishment of the smoldering debris on the floor of the living room. Additional crews arrived on scene and assisted with completing searches for victims, checking for fire extension, and ventilating the structure. No victims were found in the vacant home. While the previous fire had caused considerable damage to the structure, this fire was contained to the room of origin. No injuries were reported at the scene.

While firefighters were initially stretching a hose line to extinguish the fire, a subject on a bicycle with two plastic gas cans arrived at the property and made incriminating statements about the cause of the fire. A fire investigator was requested to respond to the scene to investigate. Upon the investigator’s arrival, the subject was interviewed and admitted to not knowing the owners of the home and starting the fire with a gasoline and a lighter that was still on his person. The subject denied involvement in the fire that occurred on the morning of July 9, 2021. With the evidence and statements provided by the subject, he was taken into custody by the Gwinnett Fire Investigators and transported to the Gwinnett County Jail by Gwinnett County Police. Fire Investigators obtained two criminal arrest warrants from the Gwinnett County Magistrate Court for Arson Without Owners Consent – First Degree (Felony) and Burglary with Intent to Commit Theft – First Degree (Felony). The suspect was identified as 49-year-old Hung H Le from Lilburn, Ga. Arson is a serious felony crime and is punishable by imprisonment and associated fines. Help prevent this type of crime by reporting suspicious activity to the police immediately by calling 9-1-1.

Equipment at the scene included: 3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck,1-Air/Light Unit, 1-Medic Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Fire Investigator and 1-PIO