CORNELIA – An overnight fire that resulted in the partial collapse of a four-unit apartment complex near downtown Cornelia has been ruled arson.
“Both the Cornelia and State Fire Marshal’s Offices will continue to investigate and follow up on any leads,” said Cornelia Fire Marshal/Fire Investigator Josh Hazle.
The fire at 459 Irvin St., Cornelia, was dispatched at 1:45 a.m. Monday.
“This is the same location as a previous fire on Aug. 30 of this year,” Hazle said. “The apartment building had already been considered a total loss by the insurance company. No one currently lives at this location.”
Hazle said a neighbor had seen people on the property recently and thought someone might be inside when calling 9-1-1 to report the fire.
“Fire crews arrived and found the apartment building under heavy fire conditions,” Hazle said. “Firefighters made a quick search of the lower apartment units and found no victims. Firefighters were unable to search any of the two upper units due to the building already beginning to collapse. The fire was knocked down around 2:28 a.m.”
No injuries were reported.
Cornelia Fire Department was assisted by the following agencies: Baldwin Fire Department, Cornelia Police Department, Habersham County Emergency Services, Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Department, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Hazle said.
Anyone with information about the fire in Cornelia is asked to contact the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at (800) 282-5804. All information is kept confidential, and a reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for arson.
