Police say they arrested a man on Tuesday afternoon on charges of arson and related crimes after a mobile home in Garden City caught fire early in the morning.
Howard Pierce faces charges of arson, aggravated assault and domestic violence, said Garden City Police Chief David Lyons. Police are investigating an animal cruelty charge as well because it’s believed a dog died in the fire, Lyons said.
About 2 a.m., first responders were called to Plantation Mobile Home Estates in the 5000 block of Ogeechee Road. There, Lyons said, they found a mobile home that was on fire.
Investigators are sorting through several versions of a story, but it’s alleged that Pierce and his girlfriend got into domestic altercation when he produced a knife. She managed to get the knife away and got outside the trailer, which then caught fire, Lyons said.
The woman’s father was asleep inside the trailer, but managed to get out.
Lyons said there are conflicting stories about how the trailer caught fire. Pierce fled, and police spent a good portion of Tuesday morning looking for him.
He apparently suffered some injuries during the altercation at the trailer, so police took him to the hospital for evaluation before taking him to the Chatham County jail, Lyons said.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast and Coastal Georgia responded and are providing the family with emergency funds for food, clothing, shoes, seasonal garments, transportation and shelter.