DeKalb officials say arrest made after about 15 brush fires; no injuries or structural losses reported

Interim Fire Chief Melvin Carter said DeKalb County Fire Rescue responded beginning about 10:49 p.m. April 26 after crews found a roughly 20-by-20-foot brush fire near Memorial College Avenue and shortly afterward began receiving reports of multiple additional fires across the same area.

"In total, investigators estimate an approximate 15 fires were set over a relatively short time frame, all within roughly a half-mile radius of the Georgia State University Clarkston campus," Carter said, adding that investigators worked in coordination with DeKalb County Police to identify a male suspect and take him into custody. The suspect has been charged with arson in the third degree, Carter said.

Director of Public Safety Darnell Fullum praised the coordinated effort by firefighters and police, called the fires intentional and illegal, and warned that the diversion of staffing and resources to fight the incidents could have endangered residents. "Anyone who endangers DeKalb County residents will be swiftly found and brought to justice," he said.

Officials said crews worked through the night and into the early morning hours — the pattern of fires continued until about 4:30 a.m. — and that one of the incidents, at 827 North Indian Creek Drive, threatened a mosque and nearby apartment buildings but did not cause structural damage. Carter said there were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

Asked how investigators located the suspect, officials said fire-investigation teams analyzed geographic patterns in the fire starts, canvassed the surrounding area and used video footage from surveillance to obtain an image that helped identify the person who was taken into custody. At the time of detention, police found items the officials described as "consistent with setting fires," but officials declined to provide further detail while the active investigation continues.

Officials repeatedly said they had no established motive. "Motive right now we do not have a motive. We're still being an active investigation," Carter said, adding that investigators saw a geographic pattern rather than evidence of specific targeted locations and that they believe the suspect acted alone.

A participant who identified themself as a DeKalb County resident thanked officials and told attendees the community should remain vigilant. "If you see something, say something," the resident said, and officials echoed the appeal for public reporting of suspicious activity.

Officials reminded residents that the seasonal burn ban begins May 1 and urged compliance during dry conditions. They also credited use of the real-time crime center and surveillance technology in narrowing leads. The county said it will release the suspect's name and a map of the set-fire locations after coordination with law enforcement and as part of ongoing investigative steps.

The investigation remains active and county officials said additional evidence, including video, is under review.