Man arrested in Georgia for Masonic Center vandalism, arson

UPDATE:

Kadum Harwood. Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office

Authorities in Catoosa County, Georgia arrested a suspect in the arson and vandalism case of the Chattanooga Masonic Center.

On Monday evening, police arrested 29-year-old Kadum Harwood. The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) says authorities in Catoosa County will extradite him to Hamilton County.

He is facing charges of arson, vandalism, burglary and reckless endangerment.

CFD says multiple agencies assisted in identifying Harwood as the suspect.

PREVIOUS:

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga firefighters and police responded to a fire and vandalism at a Masonic lodge early Monday morning.

Police say they are now investigating the arson at the Chattanooga Masonic Center, located on West 21st Street.

Chattanooga firefighters responded to the scene just after 2 a.m. on Monday.

Chattanooga Masonic Center

Fire officials said the front exterior of the building was on fire when they arrived. The vandals had left the front doors of the building open as well.

Firefighters then found another small fire inside the building, too. This activated the sprinkler system, according to firefighters.

The fire department said the building now has fire and water damage, along with other damage, too.

Authorities are now working to find out who is responsible and what exactly happened at the Masonic lodge in the early hours of Labor Day.