Police are asking the public to help identify anyone seen leaving an eight-apartment building in west Chatham County that was destroyed by a deliberately set fire June 4.
The section of Ocho Rios Villa Apartments on Westgate Court were engulfed in flames when Southside Fire/EMS arrived at 9:46 a.m. that day. Three occupants were transported for treatment of minor injuries after jumping from windows to escape the fire.
Two other incidents — one involving an attempt to start a fire — were reported in the building in the two days before the fire, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
All apartments in the building were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable in the fire that appeared to be started with the use of accelerants, possibly through the use of a container that was thrown through a window. Accelerants also seemed to have been applied to a stairway leading to upstairs apartments, Miller said.
Savannah-Chatham police detectives are working the case with state fire investigators.
Police ask anyone with information that can help them to call the anonymous CrimeStoppers service at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters’ identities remain confidential and they may qualify for a cash reward.
A tip line is also open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124, and most area clergy have agreed to serve as liaisons for anyone who would like to share information with police anonymously.