Cherokee County

Someone threw a Molotov cocktail into this probation office

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — Arson investigators want to know who threw a Molotov cocktail through a Cherokee County probation office.

The fire at the state probation office on Medical Lane in Canton caused thousands of dollars in damage.

No one was inside when it happened just before 5 a.m. Monday.

Authorities are now looking through databases in an attempt to see if anyone had a vendetta against the probation office.

“In this case, it's a pretty clear cut case of arson,” deputy insurance and safety fire commissioner Jay Florence said. “It was a pretty substantial blaze that occurred in the lobby of the building.”

Firefighters were able to contain it to the building and they kept it from spreading to nearby businesses.

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Yellow tape and boarded up windows now adorn the Georgia Department of Community Services building.

Investigators say there is an estimated $10,000 worth of damage inside.

The Canton Police Department is also helping to find the people responsible.

“Molotov cocktails are dangerous things, and these are dangerous individuals,” Florence said.

State officials remained at the scene for most of the day trying to find witnesses and examining for clues.

“We still don’t have a lot of leads,” Florence said.

The search for suspects will involve people who have visited the office.

“Absolutely. They’ll look at people who may have beefs with the office and just do good investigative work,” Florence said.

There is a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that could lead to an arrest.