BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in a Hailey arson investigation.
Idaho State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl told KTVB last month a fire that destroyed the Croy Street Exchange Building in downtown Hailey on the morning of March 16 was determined to be caused by arson. The building was in the process of being renovated when the fire occurred.
The marshal's office is asking for the public's help finding the person or persons responsible.
Sandahl traveled to Hailey on Thursday to raise awareness about the reward in the hopes of gathering new information about the arson from the public.
"In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, we are not releasing specific details at this time,” Sandahl said.
He urged members of the public to come forward with information they may have about the perpetrator of this crime by contacting the Idaho arson hotline at 1-(877)-75-ARSON.
Anyone with information that leads to an arrest may be awarded up to $5,000. Funding for the award comes from the Idaho Arson Award program, which is supported by the Northwest Insurance Council in cooperation with the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Idaho Department of Insurance.
11 engine crews from five different fire departments responded shortly after 5 a.m. on March 16 to a huge fire at the Croy Street Exchange Building. The building was fully engulfed in flames.
The commercial building at the corner of River and Croy streets is co-owned by state Sen. Michelle Stennett (D-Ketchum). She told the Idaho Mountain Express that the building was being turned into workforce housing. The building was vacant when the fire broke out.
Sandahl said the state is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in their investigation.
The owners have not said whether they plan to rebuild.
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