Cherokee family loses home to arson as husband receives hospice care
Cherokee house fire kills dog, man arrested for arson
A Cherokee County man is in custody after allegedly setting fire to his family's home overnight, destroying the house and killing the homeowner's dog.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - A man is facing an arson charge after investigators say he intentionally set a Cherokee County house on fire early Monday, destroying the home and killing the family's dog.
What we know:
Investigators arrested Jackie Ingram and charged him with first-degree arson following the fire in the 7500 block of Bells Ferry Road.
Homeowner Lori Ingram told FOX 5 that the suspect is her brother-in-law and had been living with her and her husband.
Family escapes as flames engulf home
Cherokee County firefighters were called to the house shortly before 1 a.m. and arrived to find it fully engulfed in flames. Crews immediately began fighting the fire from outside the home.
Everyone inside escaped safely, but the family's dog, Casey, did not survive.
Ingram said her brother-in-law admitted to starting the fire, but noted that he suffers from mental illness and was living with the family while they tried to get him help.
Man charged with arson in Cherokee County
Cherokee County firefighters responded to a house fire on Bells Ferry Road shortly before 1 a.m. Monday. A man named Jackie Ingram was arrested a short time later for arson.
What they're saying:
Lori Ingram said she and her husband were in bed around midnight when he noticed a flash of light.
"We were in bed near midnight and my husband saw a flash of light and told me to get out because there was a fire," she said.
By the time they reached the door, Ingram said the house was engulfed in flames and filled with black smoke.
Suspect lived with homeowners
Ingram told FOX 5 that her brother-in-law had been living at the home and has struggled with mental illness.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not released additional details about what investigators believe led to the fire or what evidence resulted in the arson charge.
Jackie Ingram remained in the Cherokee County Jail on Monday.
The homeowners are now trying to determine their next steps and are relying on neighbors for help after losing their home.
Courtesy of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services
What's next:
The sheriff's office said Jackie Ingram is expected to appear before a judge for a bond hearing Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Lori Ingram must figure out their next steps as her husband has end-stage liver cancer and is on hospice. Neighbors are currently setting up a fundraiser to support the family.
Multiple house fires in Cherokee County
The fire department says it has responded to multiple house fires over the last couple of days in their area. They are reminding everyone to check their smoke detectors and make a family escape plan.
What they're saying:
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services is reminding residents to regularly check their smoke detectors and have a home escape plan in case of a fire.