Arson suspected in County Home Road house fire

March 29– The 1710 County Home Road residence of Ronnie Johnson was totally destroyed Monday in a blaze Hardin County Fire Chief Melvin Martin is describing as a possible arson.

The fire started at the rear of the all-wood house and quickly consumed the dwelling.

According to Martin, the first volunteer firefighter arrived three minutes after a passerby reported the fire at 4:50 p.m. and found the house "fully involved, fire coming out the front and back."

Johnson has been the victim of a number of recent crimes. In January 2010, two of his horses were shot.

The chief said windows at the house have been broken and tires on Johnson’s vehicle cut in vandalism incidents, a mixture of burnt oil and diesel fuel had been poured on the siding, and a small fire occurred in his barn that appeared to be arson.

The state fire marshal’s office has been asked to investigate yesterday's incident.

Johnson says there is no insurance on the house, Martin said.

Firefighters from Olivet-Walkertown (Dist. 6), Burnt Church (Dist. 8), Bucktown (Dist. 5) and county Engine 12 in Savannah responded.