Fireworks Cause Of Duluth Apartment Fire, Youths Charged

DULUTH, GA - Two youths have been charged in connection with a fire Monday night that caused heavy damage to an apartment building in Duluth.

Gary McKinley, 18, of Lawrenceville, and an unidentified juvenile were charged with criminal damage to property in the second-degree in connection with the fire at the Landmark at Bella Vista on Satellite Boulevard in unincorporated Duluth.

Both were seen discharging fireworks in the breezeway earlier in the evening and admittedly left spent firework devices on the wooden railing and on the wood floor as they went inside a friend's apartment unit, Gwinnett fire officials said.

The fire damaged three apartments and injured three residents as they escaped. It displaced 29 people.

McKinley was taken to the Gwinnett County Detention Center by police. Information about the juvenile has not been released.

This incident is a prime example of why it is important to use fireworks responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and safety regulations, fire officials said.