Arson Blamed for Overnight Business Fire

At 12:23 a.m. Friday, Gwinnett firefighters responded to a call at a business located in a shopping center on Jimmy Carter Boulevard near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Shortly after arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the office of Envios La Familia Peruana, a courier service and merchandising store for Peruvian products located on the second floor of a shopping center at 7050 Jimmy Carter Boulevard.

"Firefighters reported a glass door was broken out when they arrived," said Captain Tommy Rutledge for the Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services. "A witness reported seeing an unknown individual throw an object through the front door prior to the fire erupting," he said.

Fire Investigators were called in and have ruled the fire an act of arson. According to investigators evidence of an incendiary device was found inside the business.

Fire Investigators are asking anyone with information to call the Gwinnett Fire Arson & Explosives Investigation Section at 678-518-4890.

Fire damage was moderate, the building's sprinkler system helped contain the fire until firefighters arrived. Two business suites on the first floor below the business had minor water damage.

The business was closed when the fire started, no one was inside and there were no injuries.