Arrest made in arson investigation

Just before 4 a.m. on March 30, a trailer fire was reported at 64 Main Street in Auburn. Engines 4 and 7, Med 4 and Battalion 1 responded to the scene.

First arriving crews found a singlewide trailer that was over fifty percent involved with the fire spreading rapidly.

“By the time crews were able to deploy two hose lines, the trailer was fully involved,” said Barrow County Emergency Services public information officer Lt. Scott Dakin. “Firefighters also had a second singlewide trailer and vehicles that required protection from the fire.”

Firefighters were able to prevent damage to the second trailer, but the first trailer was completely destroyed by fire. Two vehicles also sustained heat damage from the blaze.

Witnesses at the scene advised that a male subject had been seen lighting the fire.

As a result of a joint investigation by the Barrow County Emergency Services Fire Investigation Unit, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and the Auburn Police Department, a resident of the trailer Cedric Jefferson, age 25, was charged with one count of arson and two counts of criminal damage to property. Jefferson is currently being held at the Barrow County Detention Center.

The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the other resident of the trailer.

“This type of fire and investigation shows how well personnel with Barrow County Emergency Services work with other departments,” Dakin said. “With a thorough investigation and interviews an arrest was made the same morning as the fire.”