Tuesday, April 1, 2025–10:45 a.m.
-Staff reports-
An arrest has been made in a March 23 wildfire in the Rosedale area that burned around 200 acres and threatened a subdivision off Highway 156.
22-year old Ainsley Brianna Sutton of Armuchee is charged with three felony counts of 1st-degree arson and single counts of destroying or damaging any material or device used in the detection or suppression of wildfires and reckless conduct.
She is accused of starting the fire that eventually spread out of control, destroying an outbuilding and damaging a home.
According to a Floyd County Police Department report:
An officer arrived on the scene and saw a fire with flames about 10 feet high, about 100 feet in the woods, and spreading rapidly.
The property owners were outside with Sutton, who was covered in soot on her face and arms.
She appeared remorseful and was crying, telling the officer that she had started the fire by burning pine straw with a lighter because she was angry with a family member.
She was taken to the hospital for evaluation and was then booked into the Floyd County Jail on early Tuesday.