Alpharetta Man Sets Fire To Home After Eviction Notice: Report

ALPHARETTA, GA — An Alpharetta man is accused of setting his house on fire days after receiving an eviction notice, the Alpharett-Roswell Herald reported.

On Thursday, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced that Jesse Hooper, 52, was arrested in connection with the Fulton County Fire. He's charged with arson in the first degree and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Officials said the fire occurred on Nov. 18, and moderately damaged the 15-year-old, 3728-square-foot, two-story home on Bethany Road in Alpharetta.

“The Alpharetta Fire Department requested the assistance of our canine unit,” said Commissioner King. “The canine quickly alerted to an area in the basement of the house, detecting the presence of accelerants.”

According to the newspaper, warrants show that Hooper and his wife had not paid their mortgage for about five years and that Brickstone Properties had purchased the home in Jan. 2021. A deputy reportedly posted a final eviction paperwork on the front door three days before the fire.

Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit assisted the Alpharetta Fire and Police Departments with this investigation.