Sheriff Chuck Smith reported that the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office along with the Georgia State Fire Marshall’s Office investigated several suspicious fires that occurred in the Gay, Georgia area of Meriwether County. The investigation into these fires, three total, revealed that these incidents were all arson related. A suspect was identified with an arrest being made.
“On 07/16/2015 there was a woodland fire that occurred on Wildwood Court, Gay, Georgia. The Meriwether County Fire Department responded to this location and extinguished the fire. The Fire Department found items at the scene of this woodland fire that was consistent with the fire being purposefully set.” Sheriff Chuck Smith said.
“On 07/19/2015 and 07/23/2015 the Meriwether County Fire Department responded to a structure fire of a vacant house in the 100 Block of Pinewood Drive. The first incident on July 19, 2015 there was moderate damage done to the exterior of the structure. The second fire that occurred on July 23, 2015 caused extensive damage to the interior of the structure. In both of these incidents items of evidentiary value were located that revealed that both of these fires were intentionally set. Our agency was called into investigate these incidents as arson. We contacted the Georgia State Fire Marshall’s Office to assist with the collection of the fire scene samples. Through the course of the investigation our investigators were able to identify a suspect in all three of these incidents. Through evidence located at the scene along with interviews conducted we were able to obtain warrants for the offenses of Burning of Woodlands 1 Count, Arson 2 counts, and Burglary 1 count. Our investigators arrested Michael Lee Wright, W/M, 25 years of age, who resides in the 100 block of Pinewood Drive, Gay, Georgia for the offenses listed. Wright is currently being held in the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office Jail without bond.” Sheriff Smith stated.
“I am very pleased that our investigators were able to bring these incidents to a successful conclusion with the arrest of the perpetrator in these incidents. We are fortunate that no one got injured in these incidents and that the fire personnel were able to extinguish these fires before they spread and endangered others and their property.” Sheriff Chuck Smith advised.