Man Accused of Torching Former Employees Home in Lawrenceville

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - A woman who lost her home to fire on Sunday may just have gotten some more support in her allegations of arson against her former employer.

Homeowner Francis Watkins went to court this Monday seeking a temporary restraining order against Clifford David Malone. This was just hours before investigators publicly identified him as the key suspect in the fire at her Lawrenceville home.

It didn't take long for Gwinnett County Arson investigators determine that  the fire at Watkins home on Amelia Garden Way was deliberately set. Late this  afternoon they identified Malone as their prime suspect. 

That news came as no surprise to Watkins and her husband. They believed it was Clifford from the start. David and Frances Watkins met with police at their Lawrenceville home Monday, after going to court to get restraining order against 65 year old Clifford.

Watkins once worked for Malone. She said he threatened her and that her house was first broken into on Saturday night and then set on fire a few hours later around midnight.

Malone faces first degree arson charges Police have not said how the fire started or a possible motive.