(Lawrenceville, Ga., January 2, 2020) – Fire Investigators have charged two people with criminal damage to property in the second-degree in connection with the fire Monday night that caused heavy damage to an apartment building at the Landmark at Bella Vista on Satellite Boulevard in unincorporated Duluth.

Gary McKinley, age-18 of Lawrenceville and an unidentified juvenile were both arrested Tuesday afternoon after being interviewed by Fire Investigators. The felony charge stems from reckless actions that damaged multiple apartment units and injured three residents as they escaped. McKinley was transported to the Gwinnett County Detention Center by police. Information about the juvenile is not being released based on juvenile status.      

According to Fire Investigators, both were seen discharging fireworks in the breezeway earlier in the evening and admittedly left spent fireworks devices on the wooden railing and on the wood floor as they went inside an apartment unit belonging to a friend who was out of town at the time.

This incident is a prime example of why it is important to use fireworks responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and safety regulations.