Lawrenceville New Year's Day Fire Is Arson; Officials Need Help

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - A New Year's Day house fire on Castle Royale Drive, NE, has been ruled arson, according to Gwinnett fire officials.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 5:23 am after the alarm company called 911. Crews found flames and smoke inside the two-story, wood-frame house.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and found no one inside. The occupants, who were in the process of moving into the home, were temporarily staying in an apartment.

Fire Investigators found that an unknown individual made unlawful entry to the house and ignited the fire in order to cause damage to the property. Georgia Arson Control, Inc. is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.

Specific information about how entry was made or where and how the fire was started is not being released due to the ongoing investigation. Fire Investigators are working with police to see if the suspect is connected to other crimes in the area.

Fire Investigators are asking for the public’s help. They are trying to identify a possible male witness who was seen on a skateboard in the road as fire trucks were pulling into the subdivision.

Residents in the neighborhood who may have seen or heard anything suspicious during the overnight hours or encountered the male on the skateboard are asked to please contact the authorities.

Anyone with information about the fire or the person responsible is asked to contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigations Section at 1-678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804.