Police: Woman charged with arson after fire ravages Hiram neighborhood
HIRAM, Ga. - Authorities have arrested a woman accused of intentionally starting a fire in her Paulding County neighborhood, which destroyed four homes and damaged more than a dozen others.
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Adrian Satterly, 41, has been charged with 14 counts of first-degree arson and three counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Two dogs and a cat died in the blaze, fire officials said.
The fire began Sunday morning in the kitchen and dining room area of Satterly's Rosemont Court home in the Greystone subdivision. Authorities said about 20 homes total were damaged in the fire, and by Sunday afternoon investigators had determined the blaze was intentionally set.
Hours after announcing an arrest in the case, Paulding County released the 911 recordings, including one from the suspect herself. Authorities said she didn't actually call 911 to report the fire, but rather, to ask for a ride. More than a dozen other calls poured into the 911 center minutes after the fire began tearing through the neighborhood.
Hiram Police confirmed to FOX 5 News Monday that Satterly had been taken into custody and charged with public intoxication. She was later charged with arson.
"The house next door, the whole thing was already engulfed in flames, our living room and kitchen was already on fire," said resident Yolanda Woodland.
Yolanda Woodland woke to a nightmare.
"Within two minutes, the house was engulfed in flames. I mean it went really quick."
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Woodland, her daughter, and roommate Auzalea Godfrey lost everything in Sunday's massive blaze including their two dogs, which perished in the fire.
"We were just able to get out and knock on other peoples' doors. The fire was moving very fast. It was just moving to quick," said Godfrey.
Shock has given way to anguish for many with the realization of all that was lost. However, one look at what's left of their homes and they know it could have been much worse.
"We're staying at a hotel for now and after we finish processing everything we'll take it from there take it one day at a time," said Godfrey.
The Red Cross set up a disaster relief operation at a community center in the neighborhood to help fire victims. Three families, who were forced from their homes, were there Sunday morning. In all, about 20 people were displaced by the fire, according to the Red Cross.
In addition to the four homes that were destroyed, two homes suffered extensive damage and 14 others were damaged by heat or smoke.
"We are actively working the case," said Jay Florence, Deputy Insurance, and Safety Fire Commissioner.