3 teens charged in ‘suspicious’ fire that destroyed historic homes, Georgia police say
UPDATE: Two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old have been arrested after being accused of setting a fire that destroyed three historic homes in Morrow, Georgia, authorities announced Wednesday, June 8. They face several charges including arson and burglary, and are being held at a juvenile detention center.
The original story continues below.
A late-night blaze that burned a row of historic homes to the ground over the weekend was intentionally set, according to Georgia authorities.
Now, officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspected arsonists.
The fire was set in one of the homes Saturday, June 4, before spreading to two others nearby in “The District,” a city-owned space in downtown Morrow, officials said. The blaze broke out around midnight, but investigators believe a group was inside the home as early as 8:45 p.m. Friday, June 3, before the flames were visible.
Videos from the scene show multiple buildings engulfed in flames as smoke billows high into the orange-tinged sky. Crews spent “several hours” trying to put out the fire but were unable to save the homes, some of which dated back to the 19th century, WAGA reported.
“This is a very sad day for our community,” Morrow Mayor John Lampl said in a statement. “The District has become an important community gathering space, the home of many City events, and the site of several new businesses. The loss of these beautiful, historic homes at the heart of our city is a cruel blow to the residents and community members who utilize this area.”
The location and intensity of the blaze are “suspicious,” city fire officials said, pointing to possible arson. No injuries were reported.
The Morrow Police Department is aiding in the investigation and said “The District” has been targeted by vandals in the past — including an attempted arsonist.
The community space, once known as Olde Towne Morrow, was in the process of being revitalized as a commercial hub for locals and visitors to enjoy, according to city officials. The 19th century-style city center was the brainchild of then-city manager Lampl, who conceived the idea in 2005, Atlanta Magazine reported.
The city saw several abandoned homes from across Georgia “trucked to Morrow at a cost of up to $200,000 and reassembled on site” with the goal of attracting people to the area, according to the magazine. The buildings included a Greek-Revival mansion from Macon previously owned by Confederate Colonel Leroy Napier.
That home, built in 1846, was lost in the blaze, current City Manager Jeff Baker confirmed in a statement.
Authorities said they’re still investigating the string of events that led to the fire.
“We are committed to identifying and holding responsible anyone who was involved in the catastrophic damage caused by this fire,” Lampl said.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Morrow Police at 770-961-4006, or Georgia Arson Control at 1-800-282-5804. Tips can also be submitted anonymously.
Morrow is about 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published June 6, 2022 at 8:30 AM with the headline "3 teens charged in ‘suspicious’ fire that destroyed historic homes, Georgia police say."