Roswell apartment arson suspect captured

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE: Roswell Fire Department has confirmed via a Facebook post that Perry Aubuchon has been taken into custody.

Police believe someone intentionally set a fire that ripped through a Roswell apartment building, displacing more than 40 people.

Channel 2′s Mike Petchenik was in North Fulton County, where the Red Cross said they are assisting 14 families at The Crossings at Holcomb Bridge Apartments early Thursday morning.

Police say the fire was the result of an argument. On Thursday, police said they were securing warrants for a man they believe started the fire. Channel 2 Action News is not releasing his name because he’s not facing charges yet.

Cellphone video shows the fire ripping through a building. At least one family had to jump from a window to get out of their unit.

On Thursday, 5-year-old Yaretci Olguin was clutching the only item she could carry out with her, a teddy bear named George.

“I’m not scared of it, but Daddy carried me down,” Olguin said. “Nobody likes fires and the ambulance helped us put the fire away.”

Yaretci’s father, Josui Olguin, told Petchenik he carried all four of his children to safety, then helped his wife climb out a window.

“When I opened the door to see what happened, the flames were really close and right there,” Josui Olguin said.

He said he thinks his family lost everything.

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“But I’m blessed, because I have my family safe,” Josui Olguin said. “I’m OK with that. I’m ready to start over.”

Roswell police said in a report that a man showed up and got into an argument with the people who live there. He then said he had something for them. That’s when the fire started.

Jose Rueda said the fire forced him, his pregnant wife and their child to jump from a second-floor balcony.

“When they tried to open the door, the fire was right there, so they could not get access to get out,” a neighbor explained for Rueda.

Kelli Denson also told Petchenik she also had to jump from her second-floor balcony to escape.

“It happened so quick,” Denson said. “It’s extremely messed up.”

Denson said she thinks she’s only alive thanks to neighbor Eric McCoy, who took extraordinary measures to rescue others.

“I helped her jump out the balcony,” McCoy said.

“We appreciate you looking out,” Denson said.

Denson said McCoy’s actions likely saved lives.

“The way that was engulfed, the fact that everybody was able to get out, it’s a miracle and a blessing," Denson said.

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