State and local investigators are trying to determine who is responsible for an explosion that destroyed a house in Elbert County on Thursday, Jan. 23.
John King, Georgia's Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, said someone set fire to the house and then the structure exploded around 3 a.m.
"The 1,320 square-foot, 19-year-old residence was completely destroyed by the explosion and ensuing fire. Thankfully, no one was living in the residence at the time,” said King. “Further examination of the structure determined that the explosion was caused by an air-fuel mixture, which then lit the residence on fire, completely destroying it.”
Georgia News Network in Atlanta reported the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the house belong to Karen Hill, a suspect in the shooting death of Rodney Gilmer in upstate South Carolina last February. Hill has never been charged with the crime; however, GNN reported there was graffiti on the property that read "Justice for Rodney."
King is asking anyone with knowledge about the fire to call the Fire Investigations Unit at 1‐800‐282‐5804. He said rewards are offered of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist(s). Calls are taken 24 hours a day and callers can choose to remain anonymous.
