Gwinnett County fire investigators are searching for the person who threw a Molotov cocktail into a Lawrenceville home and lit a fire on one of its walls using gasoline.

The family who lives at the Kibbe Circle house wasn't home when the fire started, but a dog was rescued when firefighters responded at 6:45 a.m. on July 5. Investigators found the remnants of a spent Molotov cocktail, a homemade fire bomb at the scene, said Capt. Tommy Rutledge, a spokesman for Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. The device was still intact and collected as evidence.

Lab tests confirmed that gasoline was poured on an exterior wall of the home and set on fire. There mere multiple “points of origin” of the fire around the home, Rutledge said.

There is no known motive for the arson, and the family told investigators they don’t know who would want to harm them or their home.

Anyone who has information related to this fire should contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigations Section at 678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804. Georgia Arson Control offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

The black bear was spotted eating from a bird feeder this weekend.

About the Author

Keep Reading

An escalator inside the Vine City MARTA station was blocked off Tuesday after at least 11 people were injured when a "stampede" led to an escalator malfunction following the Beyoncé concert. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Featured

Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC