ATHENS, Ga. - Police say a man has been charged in connection with a fire at an Athens motel where a woman was found dead.
Firefighters were called to the America's Best Inn on Atlanta Highway at about 12:50 a.m. Monday. Authorities say the blaze was contained to a single room where a woman was found dead inside. All other motel guests and employees evacuated safely.
The Athens-Banner Herald reports police arrested 34-year-old Richard McGaha of Bogart in connection with the fire. He was charged with second-degree criminal damage to property. It was not immediately known if McGaha had an attorney.
Authorities said they identified the victim but her name was being withheld pending notification of relatives. An autopsy was planned to determine how she died.