Fire That Destroyed 5 Georgia Homes, Damaged 14 Ruled Arson

Investigators ruled arson was to blame for a fire that started in a Georgia home and rapidly spread throughout a subdivision, destroying five houses and damaging at least 14 others before firefighters could extinguish all the flames.
Police arrived quickly and helped all residents of the Greystone subdivision evacuate safely, said Paulding County fire Lt. Steve Mapes. He said one homeowner injured an ankle while escaping, but no other injuries were reported. But the damage was extensive. The fire started after 3 a.m. Sunday inside the kitchen and dining room area of a home on Rosemont Court in Hiram, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta.