Attempted Fire at Hartwell Business Ruled Arson

An attempted fire at a Hart County company on Monday has been ruled arson.

On Wednesday, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced that his Fire Investigations Unit is currently investigating the attempted commercial arson at Lee Manufacturing & Engineering Co on the Royston Highway in Hartwell.

King said it happened just after 4p on July 5th.

Investigators found incendiary devices at two buildings on the property, although they failed to ignite.

King said thankfully, there was no fire damage to either building and the business was closed for the 4th of July holiday.

However, he said his office is still investigating this incident as an arson.

Commissioner King’s office is working with the Hart County Fire and Sheriff’s Department on this case.

A reward of up to $10,000 is offered by Georgia Arson Control for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for arson.

Anyone with information about this attempted arson is invited to call the Fire Investigations Unit at 1-800-282-5804.

Meantime, a fire at a local restaurant in Habersham County was also ruled arson.

The fire was reported to local authorities just before 6:45 p.m. on Monday and was set in the men’s restroom of the LongHorn Steakhouse on Carpenter’s Cove Lane in Cornelia.

Responders with the Cornelia Fire Department and a restaurant patron were able to extinguish the fire.

King said the damage was contained to a towel rack and wall inside a restroom.

He said no suspects have yet been identified.