Arson investigation underway after string of fires in Cusseta

CUSSETA, Ga. (WTVM) - Chattahoochee County Police and state arson investigators are trying to figure out who is responsible for a series of fires over the last few days in Cusseta.

“We were actually on a call in the ambulance then we get a call on the radio saying that there’s a car on fire, and then it comes out that there’s two cars on fire at the fire station,” said Andy Purdy, paramedic.

According to Purdy, someone set his and his partner’s car on fire early Friday morning while they were parked at the fire station in Cusseta. An unsettling moment, Purdy says has him hot.

“It’s really set us back a lot because now we’re going to have to replace it and come up with a down payment,” said Purdy. “It really makes my anxiety level go off the chart.”

Residents also voiced concern over the fires.

“I don’t know why they’d come out here, because this is a pretty friendly town,” said a Cusseta resident.

Meanwhile, police and state arson investigators are being tight-lipped with sharing information for now. But it wasn’t hard to find several freshly burnt out cars.

One resident, whom didn’t want to be identified, says a caved in parking structure with 4 vehicles in it was set on fire over the weekend.

Plus, a Chattahoochee County Sherriff’s truck on Marlette Drive is also freshly blazed.

“The best information I have is our investigators are there and looking into and as soon as we’re able to, we’ll release everything,” said a representative of the Georgia state Marshal’s office.

“For us to be hit, especially parked at a fire station is just ridiculous,” said Purdy.

To add fuel to the flame, a few other Cusseta residents say a slew of separate fires happened around town right after the two cars at the fire station.

“We’re not wimps out here, we’re going to stand our ground,” said a Cusseta resident.

Purdy asks for the culprit to stop before the fires get too out of hand.

”Stop before you hurt anybody,” expressed Purdy.

On a lighter note, Purdy says the fiery experience does not douse his will to still be a first responder and serve the community.

“It just proves more, there’s a definite need for us out there,” said Purdy.

Police have not said if all the fires over the last few days are connected or if any injuries have been reported at this time.

UPDATE:

The Chattahoochee County Sheriff’s Office and state fire marshal investigators released new numbers in the arsons from the last few days in Cusseta. Between Friday and Sunday, six vehicles and two houses were set on fire.

Two other homes and seven vehicles were collateral damage from the original fires. The state fire marshal’s investigative unit is in Cusseta. Arson investigators are looking into the various incidents.

You can donate to Andy Purdy and his partner’s car replacement fund, here.

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