Family home set on fire by arsonist

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County Fire investigators are searching for the person responsible for setting a home on fire, leading to a large blaze that could have spun easily out of control in a wooded area.

Firefighters responded to Amsler Road early Saturday morning, in response to a 911 call of a home on fire; the residence was fully engulfed in flames, and located dangerously close to the wood line and other homes.

After 40 minutes, firefighters put out the blaze; investigators deemed the fire as suspicious.

"The [K-9] did come out, and the dog did hit on some sort of accelerant... we are comfortable in saying, yes, this was an intentionally set fire," said Captain Eric Jackson.

FOX 5 News could not get a hold of the family that lived in the home. Jackson said the family was not home during the fire.

The fire, Jackson said, could have easily hurt anyone present in the home, responding firefighters, or neighbors.

"There's a threat out there. We don't know what they're capable of," he said.

Anyone with information on the arsonist can call the Georgia Arson Control Board at 1-800-282-5804. There's a reward up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest.