Augusta man arrested after setting fire to two residences

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – An Augusta man was arrested after authorities said he set two residences on fire.

According to the incident report, deputies went to a residence on Kissingbower Road in reference to a domestic, and deputies said when they arrived they saw a large fire that continued to escalate to cause of household items such as sofa, clothes and pillows. and it continued to spread to the rear of one residence leading to another residence.

Deputies say they saw Rodney Allen Phinezy, 42, at the top of the stairs, and after a few attempts to get him down, authorities say Phinezy was arrested.

The incident report states that a witness said he was sitting in his vehicle when he saw Phinezy throw numerous items from the stairs and saw the victim, identified as his wife, leave the residence on foot.

The incident report also states that the witness provided officers with video footage of the incident showing Phinezy throwing numerous items from the top of the stairs and throwing others onto the fire while it was lit, also causing injuries. damage to both residences on the property. like the other items.

According to the incident report, the items damaged by the fire were the air conditioning unit, rear exterior wall, front residential staircase and other items.

The resident of the nearby residential area who was also involved in the fire said she did not see Phinezy start the fire, but the witness, who she said is her friend, told her it was Phinezy who was doing this.

Authorities say the damage to residences and property was done without the consent of the owners.

According to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Phinezy was arrested on two counts of first-degree arson and was booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on Thursday, June 13.