Details emerge about how suspect allegedly set Rosehill Seafood on fire in Columbus
A suspect charged with arson in Wednesday’s fire at Rosehill Seafood pleaded not guilty Thursday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.
Brandon Ghant, 26, is charged with first-degree arson and second-degree criminal damage to property.
Columbus Fire & EMS Deputy Chief Daniel Macon told the Ledger-Enquirer on Wednesday the department was notified of the fire around 6:50 a.m. and got it extinguished around 7:15 a.m.
Investigator Taylor Murrell of Columbus Fire & EMS testified during Ghant’s preliminary hearing Thursday the cause of the fire was ruled as incendiary, meaning it was intentionally set.
Murrell told the court video surveillance shows Ghant lighting a cardboard box and placing it next to the building.
“Mr. Ghant was arrested and charged following his placement in an abandoned house located a block away from the structure,” Murrell said.
Murrell said the estimated value of the damage is around $20,000.
After being taken into custody and being read his Miranda rights, Ghant admitted to lighting the box with a torch lighter, according to Murrell’s testimony.
Murrell said the lighter was found in plain view on the bed where Ghant was sleeping.
Judge Susan Henderson found probable cause and bound the case over to Superior Court.
Henderson set bond for the arson charge at $15,000 and at $5,000 for the criminal damage to property charge. Henderson set a special condition of the bond that Ghant is not to go near, on or about the Rosehill Seafood market, the Hamilton Road area or North Highlands.
Henderson gave the bounds as Manchester Expressway to Talbotton Road and the Chattahoochee River to Warm Springs Road.