A man is now in custody, in connection with a building being destroyed by fire Friday morning in neighboring Chattooga County, Georgia.

Summerville Police Chief Harold Tucker said that the building at 19 East Washington Street most recently housed a flower shop, and for many years, had been home to the Henderson Ponder Tax Office.  Chief Tucker stated that 19 year old Jimmy Gowen has been arrested after he was implicated in what appears to have been a case of arson.

The building was reportedly owned by contractor and developer William Benefield – who recently purchased it from Jefferson’s owner Todd Kingsolver who had bought it  from attorney Jon Dennis.  Gowan has been banned from several area businesses and was recently arrested for entering an automobile belonging to Summerville attorney, Albert Palmour.

The building was deemed a total loss.

(WZQZ Chattooga County Radio)