Neighbor recaps Geneva arson house fire; police searching for arsonist
GENEVA, Ala. (WHDN)— A Geneva man says he is thankful that his neighbor is alive after her house was broken into.
“You know they were lucky to get out with their lives,” said the homeowner’s neighbor, Bill Jones.
On Monday, the Geneva Police Department received a call of a burglary in progress. Just before officers arrived, they were told that the suspect set the home on fire with the homeowner and her two children still inside.
When emergency services arrived, they were able to get the homeowner and her children out safely but the home was destroyed.
The fire also spread to a nearby home and caused significant damage.
Jones said he received a call from his neighbor begging for help.
“About one o’clock, we received a phone call from her,” Jones said. “Saying her house was on fire…I got up and got dressed, and when I walked out the door, I mean it was humongous. I mean, it was up and it was burning.”
According to the Geneva Police Chief, Pepper Mock, the house was specifically targeted by the burglar and intentionally set on fire.
But Jones doesn’t know of anyone who would target them.
“They have lived right up the street, there from us, for a long time”, Jones said. “They’ve always been a good neighbor. As far as I know, she didn’t have a problem with anybody.”
No arrests have been made and this investigation is still ongoing.
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