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Written by: A. Smith
Published January 9, 2026 @ 12:20 PM ET
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – A Canton man has been arrested after police say he set fires inside restrooms at two city parks, causing damage to public property and prompting a multi-agency response.
The Canton Police Department said the fires were reported Saturday at Heritage Park and Etowah River Park, where garbage cans inside restroom buildings were intentionally set on fire in three separate locations.
The first fire was reported at Heritage Park on Riverstone Parkway. Officers responding to the scene found garbage cans burning inside the park’s restroom. Less than 30 minutes later, police were called to Etowah River Park on Brown Industrial Parkway, where two additional restroom buildings were damaged by similar fires, authorities said.
The Cherokee County Fire Department extinguished all three fires before they could spread beyond the restrooms. Police said the buildings sustained smoke damage but no injuries were reported. All of the damaged property belongs to the city of Canton.
Following the incidents, detectives reviewed security camera footage from the parks and identified a suspect. Francisco Landrau Ferrer, 42, of Canton, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree arson, one count of criminal trespass, and one count each of loitering and prowling, according to police.
Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell praised investigators for quickly identifying and arresting the suspect.
“This kind of reckless, destructive behavior directly threatens the safety and quality of life in our community,” Ferrell said in a statement. “We will respond swiftly and seriously to protect our parks and public spaces so residents and families can continue to feel safe.”
Ferrer was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on Monday. Jail records indicate he remains in custody and was granted a $1,000 bond.