Fire at business near Tucker ruled arson

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Burglars hit a business and then set it on fire moments later, Gwinnett County fire officials believe.

The blaze broke out late Monday night at Stone Center of Georgia, located on Lawrenceville Highway near the Gwinnett and DeKalb county lines, according to Captain Tommy Rutledge with Gwinnett County fire officials.

A passer-by called 9-1-1 after seeing smoke and flames coming from the building, Rutledge said. The one-story building appeared to be a former house that had been converted to a business.

It took firefighters nearly an hour to control the blaze, which destroyed the building. The business was closed at the time and no injuries were reported.

Investigators believe burglars hit the business before setting the blaze. Police responded to a burglar alarm just prior to fire officials being notified of the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwinnett Fire Investigators at 678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hot Line at 1-800-282-.5804.

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered by Georgia Arson Control, Inc., for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for setting the blaze.