Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- A Thursday morning fire that destroyed a vacant Lawrenceville home has been ruled arson, officials said.

Gwinnett County firefighters reported to the home near the intersection of New Hope Road and Sugarloaf Parkway at about 6 a.m. Thursday, responding to the 911 call of a passerby.

The home was fully involved by the time emergency personnel arrived, and is considered a total loss.

On Friday, Gwinnett fire department spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said investigators had determined that the blaze was intentionally set.

"There was no power or gas to the home and it had not been lived in for over three years," Rutledge said. "The owner reported previous issues with vandalism in the past."

The fire was apparently set in the garage area and spread throughout the rest of the house, Rutledge said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gwinnett Fire Arson and Explosives Section at 678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804.