August 26, 2020–8:20 a.m.

NEWS RELEASE

On August 24, fire investigators with the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King issued a warrant charging Joshua R. Hazelwood, 42, of Rydal, with Arson in the 1st Degree.

He was already in the custody of the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office on other charges.

The Arson charge stems from a fire that occurred around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, at 1422 Shope Lake Road in Rydal. The fire was started on a gas stove and completely destroyed the 47-year-old, 2,136-square-foot home.

“Thanks to the work of local Gordon County officials, we were able to quickly identify and charge the subject in question,” said Commissioner King. “This type of crime is extremely dangerous and we take seriously the work of bringing these individuals to justice.”

Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit assisted the Gordon County Fire Department and Gordon County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.