BRIEF: North Georgia fire that damaged 19 homes ruled arson, authorities say

Feb. 20--A Sunday morning fire that damaged 19 homes has been ruled arson.

The office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens announced the ruling in a news release.

According to the release, an investigator determined the fire originated in the kitchen and dining room area of a house located at 67 Rosemount Court in Hiram, Ga.

The fire which was reported to the Paulding County Fire Department around 3:25 a.m., destroyed the house of origin as well as four neighboring residences in the Greystone Subdivision.

Fourteen additional homes in the subdivision received severe heat damage from the blaze.

The Paulding County Fire Department and Hiram Police Department are assisting with the investigation.

A person of interest was taken into custody by the Hiram Police Department on charges unrelated to the fire. The investigation is ongoing.

Larry Gierer: 706-571-8581, @lagierer

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