Ga. Suspect Arrested in Ben Hill Co. Jail Fire

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine announced that a Fitzgerald man has been charged with setting fire to the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.

Derrick Young, 23, was charged with one count of first degree arson, criminal damage to government property, aggravated assault, reckless conduct and terrorist threats and acts. Oxendine said Young was incarcerated in the facility at the time of the fire on charges of criminal trespassing and a traffic violation.

The fire occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday night and caused the evacuation of more than 100 inmates. The jail sustained heavy smoke and heat damage throughout the north wing of the structure. No one was injured in the fire.