Georgia Insurance & Fire Safety Commissioner John F. King has announced that a fire that badly damaged a major employer in Chattooga County – was intentionally set.

The blaze occurred at approximately 7:20am on October 30th, at Mount Vernon Mills in Trion.  The fire caused several million dollars worth of damage to the 181 year old plant.  King stated “Investigators determined that the fire originated on the first floor of the denim mill portion of the plant,” adding “Although operations had shut down Friday morning October 29th, several people were in the plant through the night.”

King’s Fire Investigation Unit is assisting the Trion Police and Fire Departments with the investigation.  In coordination with the State Fire Investigations Unit, a reward of up to $10,000 is being offered by Georgia Arson Control for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for arson in this case.

Anyone with any information on this case can contact the Fire Investigations Unit – at 1-800-282-5804.

(WZQZ Chattooga County Radio)