A suspect is in custody after a frightening string of fires broke out overnight near Clarkston, Georgia, sending DeKalb County firefighters racing from one scene to another as flames burned through grass and brush near neighborhoods, a local campus, and a mosque.
FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Rey Llerena reported that investigators believe the man is connected to nearly a dozen fires that sparked across the same general area late Sunday night and early Monday morning. No one was injured, and officials said no buildings were damaged, but the fires still left nearby residents shaken.
For people living and working in the area, the relief came only after authorities said a man had been taken into custody around 2 a.m.
“I’d be sleeping much better tonight knowing that, you know, the perpetrator was caught,” one resident told FOX 5.
Fires Break Out Across Clarkston
Llerena reported that DeKalb County firefighters responded to more than 11 fires near Clarkston, including locations around Georgia State University’s Clarkston campus and nearby neighborhoods.
The first fire was reported just before 8:30 p.m. in the area of Memorial College Avenue, according to the report. From there, crews had to move quickly as more fires appeared in the area, including along North Indian Creek Drive, where flames burned near an apartment complex and a mosque.
Video from the scene showed flames glowing in the dark as firefighters worked to contain the fires.
One contractor, who asked FOX 5 not to show his face, said he was working during one of the first fires late Sunday night and saw the woods burning near the main road.
“The fire was blazing over there,” he told Llerena. “And when you go out to the main road, that’s when you saw that the woods was on fire.”
The contractor said the situation was alarming because people live nearby, and the flames could have spread to other places.
That concern is easy to understand. A brush fire near homes is never just a patch of burning grass. If wind catches it the wrong way, it can turn into a direct threat to families, apartments, businesses, and houses of worship.
Firefighters Faced Dry And Windy Conditions
Firefighters told FOX 5 that no structures were involved, but the weather made the job more difficult.
Llerena reported that crews were battling windy and dry conditions as they moved from fire to fire. Those conditions can be dangerous because dry brush catches quickly, and wind can push flames faster than people expect.
The fires may not have damaged buildings, but the threat was real enough to scare those nearby.
Larry Cherry, a witness in the area, said he was stunned when he saw what was happening.
“I’m looking like I ain’t, I’m still asleep,” Cherry told FOX 5. “I’m still asleep. Dream. But no, that’s not no dream.”
Cherry said he had lived there for a year and had never seen anything like it before.
His reaction says a lot about how strange and unsettling the night must have felt. People expect sirens sometimes. They expect a single emergency here or there. But more than 11 fires in one area creates a different kind of fear, because no one knows where the next flame will appear.
Fires Burned Near A Mosque
Llerena reported that some of the fires happened near a mosque, which made the situation especially upsetting for people in the community.
Nasir Turk, a neighbor in the area, told FOX 5 he felt terrible about the fires being set near a place of worship.
“I feel bad, really bad,” Turk said. “There’s a worship place. And they should not do that.”
That part of the story adds another layer of concern. Investigators had not released a motive, and authorities had not said why the fires were set, but anytime flames appear near a worship place, people naturally worry about whether the location was chosen on purpose.
At this stage, officials have not publicly explained what they believe motivated the suspect.
Still, Turk’s reaction reflects what many people likely felt: even if no one was hurt and no building burned, setting fires near a community space is frightening and reckless.
A place where people gather to pray should not become part of an overnight arson investigation.
A Suspect Was Arrested Around 2 A.M.
According to Llerena, firefighters said a man was taken into custody in connection with the flames at about 2 a.m.
Authorities had not released the suspect’s name at the time of the report, and investigators were still working to determine a possible motive.
The arrest brought some relief to residents who had watched firefighters spend hours responding to fire after fire. Still, the fact that so many fires were allegedly set in one night raises serious questions about how long the situation could have continued if crews and investigators had not moved quickly.
This is the kind of case where fast response matters. Fire can spread before anyone fully understands what is happening, and when multiple fires are involved, emergency crews have to divide their attention while still protecting nearby homes and people.
That makes the work of firefighters especially important here. They were not just putting out flames. They were stopping a chain of danger from growing into something much worse.
Neighbors Say They Cannot Afford The Damage
One person who spoke to FOX 5 said residents in the area are working people who cannot afford major losses from fires.
“We are daily working people,” the resident said. “We can’t afford so much insurance and so much.”
The resident then pleaded with whoever might think of setting fires not to do it.
“So I tell the guys, whoever do and whoever intend to do that, please don’t do that,” the resident said.
That comment may not sound polished, but it gets to the heart of the fear. For many families, a fire near their home or business is not just a scary event. It can become a financial disaster.
Even when insurance exists, damage can mean deductibles, lost time, repairs, displacement, paperwork, stress, and uncertainty. For people already living paycheck to paycheck, even a near miss can be enough to shake them.
In this case, officials said no one was hurt and no structures were damaged, which is good news. But residents clearly understood how close the area came to something worse.
A Community Left Shaken But Relieved
Llerena reported that neighbors were relieved to hear a suspect had been caught.
The fires had broken out across the same general area near Clarkston, forcing crews to respond to multiple scenes through the night. Investigators said the fires were deliberately set, which turned the emergency into an arson investigation.
At least four fire locations were confirmed, though crews may have responded to more incidents as the situation unfolded.
The fact that no people were injured is fortunate. The fact that no buildings burned is also fortunate. But neither of those facts makes the situation minor.
A string of fires set overnight can create panic quickly, especially when people are asleep, winds are blowing, and flames are appearing near places where families live and worshipers gather.
For now, the community is waiting for more answers.
Authorities have not released the name of the suspect or the motive behind the fires. More information is expected as the investigation continues.
But for the people who watched flames burn in the dark, one thing already seems clear: the night could have ended much worse.
Thanks to the quick work of firefighters and investigators, the fires were contained, no one was injured, and a suspect is now behind bars.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.
