Arrest Made In Atlanta Apartment Blaze That Killed 66-Year-Old Man

ATLANTA, GA -- Fulton County law enforcement officials have arrested a woman in a deadly apartment fire that killed a 66-year-old man last month, Patch has learned.

Kamara Wheeler, who also goes by Keisha Smith, is being held on arson charges after fire investigators said she set a fire at the Venetian Apartments in southwest Atlanta that took the life of a resident that neighbors called Mr. George. Wheeler was reportedly charged in 2014 with arson as well after she confessed to setting an Atlanta home on fire.

In the March 15 apartment blaze, residents had to jump from their windows as the flames overtook several units. The Red Cross rendered assistance to 31 people in 11 families displaced by the fire.

"Our volunteers are meeting one-on-one with those affected to help meet emergency needs for essentials such as shelter, food, clothing and replacement prescriptions," Red Cross spokeswoman Divina Mims Puckett told Patch. The Red Cross said that it would continue to work with residents to help them get back on their feet.

Investigators uncovered evidence that showed that the apartment blaze was started by an accelerant. They also found out that Wheeler had a falling out with her boyfriend, who was a roommate of Mr. George, according to news reports.

Security video showed Wheeler fleeing the scene when flames started to spread from the unit, according to WSB-TV.

"For it to happen like that and take a life. It's really still unbelievable," Benjetta Swinson, a former resident of the apartments, told the TV station. "[Wheeler] deserves what she's getting. She needs to stay behind bars since she doesn't really care anyways."

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