Gordon Co. Man Charged with Arson

A Gordon County man has been charged with arson following an investigation by state authorities.

The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King investigated a Shope Lake Road fire in Rydal which occurred around 4:00 a.m. on August 22. A fire was started on the gas stove and completely destroyed the 47-year-old 2,136 square foot home.

A warrant was issued for 42-year-old of Joshua R. Hazelwood of Rydal for a charge of Arson in the 1st Degree. When the warrant was issued, Hazelwood was already in the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office on other charges.

“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.