Lavonia Woman Arrested for Arson After Second House Fire at Same Home

LAVONIA, Georgia — An arrest has been made following an investigation into a residential fire that broke out early Sunday morning in Lavonia.

On February 8, 2026, at approximately 1:20 a.m., the Lavonia Fire Department, Line Fire Department, and Lavonia Police Department were dispatched to 5155 Vickery Street in reference to a house fire. Officers arrived within two minutes and observed the residence fully engulfed in flames.

Both occupants had already escaped and were located at a neighboring residence. One of the occupants was identified as 51-year-old Christie Dutton of Lavonia. Franklin County EMS transported both individuals to a local hospital for treatment related to smoke inhalation.

The fire also caused damage to fiber-optic cables along the roadway due to intense heat exposure.

Lavonia Fire Chief Dawkins confirmed there had been a prior fire call at the same residence on January 29, 2026. That fire was extinguished before first responders arrived. Because of the circumstances surrounding both incidents, the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire was contacted to investigate the cause of the fire. The Lavonia Police Department assisted by securing the scene.

Following interviews conducted by investigators, Dutton came to the Lavonia Police Department to speak with authorities. After being interviewed by the state fire investigators, she was arrested and charged with Arson in the First Degree.

The investigation remains ongoing.