Two Killed in Rabun County Fire
Press Release January 14, 2022
ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that two people were killed in a Rabun County fire. The fire occurred on Western Way in Rabun Gap around 7:23 a.m. on Thursday, January 13th. The 14-year-old, 3000-square-foot home was completely destroyed by the fire.
“The residence had six occupants at the time of the fire, and sadly two occupants passed away as a result,” said Commissioner King. “The cause of this devastating fire is still under investigation at this time, and our team is assisting the Rabun County Fire Department and Rabun County Coroner’s Office in this matter.”
The deceased were turned over to the Rabun County Coroner and were transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s crime lab in Atlanta for autopsy. This marks the fourth and fifth deaths from Georgia fires in 2022.
Mountain City fire ruled arson by Fire Marshall
News May 27, 2021
ATLANTA – On May 24, a member of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King’s Fire Investigation Unit was requested to assist in a Rabun County fire on Electric Ave. The fire occurred just before 5:00 p.m. and caused minor damage to the 80-year-old, 1000-square-foot residence in Mountain City that was in the process of being renovated. This fire has been ruled Arson.
“The Rabun County Fire Department arrived to find the attic area of the house on fire,” said Commissioner King. “We are asking for the help of the community to bring the individual(s) responsible to justice and encourage anyone with information to call our anonymous tip line.”
Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit is assisting the Rabun County Fire Department with this investigation. In coordination with the State Fire Investigation Unit, a reward of up to $10,000 is offered by Georgia Arson Control for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for arson.
Anyone with information about this Rabun County fire is invited to call Commissioner King’s State Fire Investigators Unit at 1-800-282-5804. This anonymous hotline operates around the clock.
Rabun man arrested for arson and false imprisonment
Featured Stories, Police & Government September 16, 2019
CLAYTON,GA – On Wednesday, September 11, Al L. Lococo Jr, 35, of Clayton, Georgia, was arrested and charged with 1 Count of Probation Violation, 1 Count of Arson First Degree, 1 Count of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, 1 Count of Aggravated Battery, and 1 Count of False Imprisonment. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in setting a fire to his own camper that occurred on September 4. Lococo currently sits in Rabun County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
“Not only did Mr. Lococo commit arson on the night of September 4, he also put the life of another individual in jeopardy,” said Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King. “There is absolutely no place for horrific acts of this nature. My office will continue working closely with local authorities to ensure Mr. Lococo is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
The fire occurred around 8:10 P.M the night of September 4. The camper was parked at 4336 Hwy 441 North in Rabun Gap, Georgia. As a result of the fire, two individuals, including Mr. Lococo, were sent to the hospital to be treated for burns. Further investigation revealed that the fire was set inside the camper following a domestic dispute between Lococo and the other victim. The victim is still currently at Grady Memorial being treated for injuries sustained the night of September 4.
Lococo’s camper after the incident.
More charges are expected to be brought forth against Mr. Lococo. Investigators with the Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office are assisting the Rabun County Fire Department and the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.
First Degree Arson is a felony punishable by a fine of no more than $50,000 or by a prison term between one and twenty years, or both.
Fetch Your News will update this story as more information becomes available.