A Pickens County man faces a felony arson charge after allegedly setting his restaurant on fire, authorities said.
Tyler Jose Suarez, 23, of Jasper, faces a count of first-degree arson after being involved in setting Bee’s Home Cooking on fire, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner said in a news release Friday. A motive for the alleged arson was not provided.
The restaurant had been housed in the nearly 3,700-square-foot building since January, the release said. The building, which was constructed in 1986, suffered moderate interior damage.
No one was inside the building at the time of the fire, and investigators believe it was an isolated incident. There was another restaurant fire in Pickens County in early October, but police believe the incidents are not related.
Credit: Georgia Office Of Insurance and Fire Safety
Credit: Georgia Office Of Insurance and Fire Safety
Suarez was booked into the Pickens County Jail on Thursday before posting bond. His bond amount was not provided in the release.
A first-degree arson charge is punishable by a fine of no more than $50,000 and a prison term between one and 20 years.
The Jasper Fire Department, Jasper Police Department and Pickens County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.
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