BRIEF: Whitfield firefighter charged with arson

April 26--A Whitfield County, Ga., firefighter has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection to a fire at his home in February, according to Glenn Allen, spokesman for the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Office.

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens announced Friday the arrest of Matthew C. Gibson, 40, of Dalton, Ga.

Gibson allegedly set fire to his Eber Road home on Feb. 16, causing more than $130,000 in damage, Hudgens said.

Gibson has been booked into the Whitfield County Jail, with bond set at $1,000. First-degree arson is a felony that carries a penalty of one to 20 years in prison, and could include a fine of up to $50,000.

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