1 person in custody after Cobb County fire

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The homeowner of a Cobb County townhome is in custody after a fire broke out early Wednesday morning.

Channel 2’s Liz Artz was the first reporter on the scene at the Pinecrest Condos on Audobon Drive in Marietta for Channel 2 Action News This Morning.

Fire officials told Artz there was a 911 call just before the fire. They said a family member made a 911 call from another residence and said that the person who lived at the townhome was making threatening, suicidal comments.

Neighbors said they heard a loud explosion and it sounded like fireworks going off.

Investigators ruled the fire an arson.

“Possibly with flammable liquids in the garage,” Cobb County Fire Lt. Dan Dupree said.

The homeowner, identified as Matthew Olson, 31, is facing a felony charge.

“(He) was arrested by Cobb police after a brief chase in the Johnson Ferry, Woodlawn area. (He is) being interviewed by investigators and will most likely be charged with arson in the first degree,” Dupree said.

Dupree said Olson will also likely be charged by Cobb County police for the chase that ended in a crash before his arrest.

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“It’s a sad day for all of us and all of us who live in the neighborhood,” neighbor Jim Painter said.

Fire investigators were out Wednesday afternoon going through the damage left by the fire.

The fire destroyed the unit where it started and damaged two neighboring condos.

Neighbors said the heat from the massive fire melted the paneling on a condo across the street.

Fire officials questioned Olson’s wife, Megan. They believe the fire could be a result of an estranged marriage.

“We’re all friends in the neighborhood and we hate to see any of our neighbors injured or possibly killed,” Painter said.

Cox Media Group