Habersham County Fire ruled arson, reward offered

Authorities are asking for the public’s help to find and arrest the person responsible for setting a Habersham County apartment complex on fire Monday morning.

It happened just after 1:40 a.m. Monday, at apartments 457 and 459 located off of Irvin Street, in Cornelia.

Fire Investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office has determined the fire was arson.

Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set in the basement of apartment 459B.

According to Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King, the side of the apartment complex suffered major damages.

The two units were vacant and neither had utilities connected at the time of the fire.

He adds that a fire occurred at the same location in August, and the utilities had since been disconnected.

No one was injured in the fire.

The City of Cornelia Police Department and Fire Department are assisting with this investigation.

Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is asking anyone with knowledge about this fire to call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-282-5804.

Rewards are offered up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist(s).

Calls are taken 24 hours a day and callers an choose to remain anonymous.