Arson suspect set fire on floor of his own apartment, warrants say
A suspect arrested on arson charges in a New Year’s Day apartment fire was seen stoking an open fire on his unit’s floor, according to his arrest warrant.
The blaze left 16 people displaced in northwest Atlanta and led authorities to arrest 37-year-old Leonard Fortner.
The fire broke out just before 5 p.m. Monday at a complex at 1931 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, Atlanta fire spokesperson Alyssa Richardson said. When crews arrived, they found fire coming from both floors of a two-story building.
No injuries were reported. Red Cross volunteers assisted the residents who could not return to their apartments, spokeswoman Katie Zwerk confirmed.
Investigators were provided a witness statement that described Fortner setting a fire just inside his doorway, his arrest warrant said. Fortner also has several other cases pending in court from arrests over the past two years, including second-degree criminal damage to property, making terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and several counts of obstruction.
Fortner was booked into the Fulton County Jail on one felony count of first-degree arson. As of Friday morning, he remains there on bond of $30,000, online records show.
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About the Author
Henri Hollis is a restaurant critic and food reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covers Atlanta’s restaurants, chefs and dining culture. As part of the AJC’s Food & Dining team, he reviews new restaurants, reports on industry trends and explores metro Atlanta’s culinary scene through the neighborhoods and people that shape it.
