The Lighthouse Restaurant owner has confessed to the crime.

Steven Brehaut on Monday, “confessed to investigators that he did commit the crime,” State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesmanGlenn Allen said Thursday.

Brehaut, 37, of 440 Trice Road, Milner, has been charged with first degree arson in the July 10 fire that destroyed the popular Milner restaurant. Allen said Brehaut also has been charged with insurance fraud.

Allen confirmed Brehaut did file an insurance claim on the damages caused by the fire, which he later admitted to setting. The July 10 fire was a total loss.

Monday’s arrest came after a four-week investigation by the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office. Brehaut is being held in the Lamar County Jail as warrants for his arrest on the arson charges were taken by the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office.

The Lighthouse Restaurant was family owned and operated since 1982. It specialized in catfish and offered a variety of seafood, steaks and chicken on the menu, plus an all you can eat seafood buffet and salad bar.

Firefighters were first dispatched to the fire about 5 p.m., July 10, to the restaurant at 1402 Old 41 Highway in Milner, near the Spalding County line. The restaurant was not open at the time of the fire as it was closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Firefighters from several agencies were called it to help with the fire including Spalding County and Griffin, as well as Barnesville, Lamar County, Pike County, Monroe County and Forsyth.