Fire investigators believe a fire that damaged a restaurant in Pickens County earlier this week was set on purpose.
Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner John King said local fire crews were called to Bee's Home Cooking on West Church Street in Jasper around 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
"This is the second fire at a Jasper restaurant in the last month," said King in a press statement. "Though there are no confirmed links at this time, the possibility of the fires being related is not off the table. With that in mind, we are making the apprehension of the individual or individuals responsible for these fires a top priority for our office."
King said the 3,698 square-foot restaurant suffered moderate damage in the fire. The structure was built in 1986, but had only housed Bee’s Home Cooking since January.
He said no one was inside at the time of the fire.
Anyone who has information on the fire is asked to call the Fire Investigations Unit at 1-800-282-5804. The line is open 24 hours a day and callers may remain anonymous.
The City of Jasper Police Department and Fire Department are assisting with this investigation.
