Update 12:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5
A man has been arrested on arson charges in connection with Saturday's house fire near Gainesville.
A release Monday morning from Hall County Fire Rescue said Stephen Wesley Barfield, age 55, was arrested Saturday night, just hours after the fire on Athens Highway that left one person injured.
No details were released on how the fire started, but officials said a Fire Marshal's Office K9 was brought to the scene to detect accelerants.
Barfield remained in the Hall County Jail without bond as of noon Monday. He faces one count of first degree arson.
Original story posted 9:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 4
Hall County Fire Rescue responded to a fully involved single story house fire at approximately 6:30 p.m. on the 2300 block of Athens Highway.
Arriving units began a defensive attack on the fire and were able to extinguish the flames.
Crews also located all remaining hot spots.
One person was evaluated on scene for minor injuries and transported to NEGMC Gainesville.
The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation by the Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/2/1226432/athens-hwy-fire