Suspect in Senoia arson fire in custody
By JOHN A. WINTERS
john@newnan.com
A 16-year-old Senoia boy wanted for intentionally setting his house on fire Sunday while his family slept was arrested without incident Monday night, according to Coweta County authorities.
No one was injured in the blaze, which was confined to one bedroom but did cause moderate damage to the residence at 139 Old Highway 85.
"He was taken into custody without incident," the major said. "He has been transferred to the Paulding County Juvenile Detention facility until his first court appearance.
"Miller is charged with arson and five counts of aggravated assault and will be tried as an adult," Yarbrough added. The five aggravated assault charges are based on the fact Miller's parents and three siblings were in the house at the time.
"Wyatt (Miller) should be considered as suicidal and has had made threats to rob local convenience stores in order to obtain more jail time," according to a lookout notice issued by the sheriff's office on Monday.
Yarbrough said Miller "intentionally set his bedroom on fire to destroy the house ... he knew his parents were in the house and he fled out the window after barricading the door."
About 20 firefighters with the Coweta County Fire Department responded to the single family residence in the Senoia area of eastern Coweta County just before midnight Sunday.
"Upon arrival, Engine 10 reported 'one room and contents on fire' and was advised that a 16-year-old boy may still be inside," said Assistant Chief Jeff Denney with the Coweta County Fire Department. "Crews searched the structure and reported that the minor was not in the house and suppressed the fire."
No residents or firefighters were injured in the blaze, and firefighters remained on-scene until about 4:30 a.m. Monday putting out hot spots.
"The fire was contained to the room of origin and that room sustained moderate to heavy fire damage and remaining rooms suffered heat and smoke damage, the assistant chief said.
