Updated: Cartersville Police Seek Arson Suspect; Family's Home Damaged Extensively

Updated 9 p.m.

As Cartersville Patch Facebook fan Debbie Clark Kelly points out, Phillip Rodger Bennett served a total of about 19 years in Georgia state prisons following voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault convictions stemming from a 1985 incident and an aggravated assault conviction stemming from a 1993 incident. Both happened in Cobb County.

Bennett was released in February 2010.

Updated 8 p.m.

Cartersville Fire Chief Scott Carter tells Cartersville Patch firefighters responding to the alleged arson, which has displaced a family, had a tough blaze to battle.

"Upon arrival we had a single family dwelling, with fire showing," Carter said via email. "We began an interior attack. The blaze was difficult to control and the fire had breached the attic space."

Three firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion at the scene, but were able to return to duty without hospital visits. Emergency medical crews were called in to monitor the conditions of fire personnel, Carter said.

The brick home at 18 Boatner Avenue appears gutted, a shell of charred interiors the only apparent remains. Carter said it suffered extensive damage.

"We (were) able to keep the fire confined to the structure with no exposure issues," he said, referring to surrounding houses. "We used a total of three (fire) engines, one tower (truck) and one rescue (vehicle)."

Bennett reportedly used gasoline as an accelerant, but fire officials, a number of which were on scene, are conducting an investigation in an effort to determine what happened.

"General speaking if an accelerant...is used on a structure fire, (it) will cause the fire to be more intensive and will spread rapidly," Carter said. "If it is confirmed that a substance was used, it could have resulted in the difficult fire fight."

Updated 6 p.m.

The alleged arson of a Cartersville home at 18 Boatner Avenue may have been the result of an ongoing feud between neighbors, according to police. 

"Apparently there has been an ongoing feud of some sort between the victim and the suspect, Phillip Rodger Bennett, who lived across the street," authorities said in a press release. 

The alleged victim told police Bennett confronted him today "in regards to the victim’s grass not being cut," according to the release. The homeowner, who was there with his 3-year-old daughter, said Bennett broke a window, poured gasoline inside his home and set it on fire. 

"The victim and his daughter were in the house at the time but were able to get out of the house without injury," authorities said.

Police were still looking for Bennett, who they say should be considered armed and dangerous due to his past criminal history and behavior.

Capt. Mark Camp said he couldn't elaborate on Bennett's past, but 11Alive reports Bennett has an "extensive" criminal history.

Cartersville Fire Department arson investigators and police are investigating.

Original Report

Cartersville police are investigating an alleged arson that occurred about 4 p.m. on Boatner Avenue in Cartersville. 

Authorities are looking for Phillip Roger Bennett, 58, a suspect with the following description:

• White male
• Gray or dark hair
• Height: 6-feet-1-inch
• Weight: 220 pounds
• Last seen driving a dark red or maroon in color, 1997 Ford Ranger pickup, bearing Georgia tag  BLP6438.

He should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Bennett or his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately. 

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