Reward

offered for

information

in Arlington

arson attempt

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

GAYLORD -- Authorities announced a reward for anyone offering information that leads to an arrest and conviction for the Friday night attempted arson in Arlington.

The announcement marks the second such award offered by authorities since the April 20 fire in Gaylord.

The status of the three Sibley County fires remains the same. Investigators have said the Arlington fire was "attempted arson," the April 28 fire in Winthrop was ruled "undetermined" and the Gaylord fire is still considered "suspicious."

The evidence collected by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office, including the broken jar and rag found in Arlington, is undergoing testing at the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension lab in St. Paul. Making conclusions based upon those findings could take some time, Sibley County Sheriff Bruce Ponath said.

"There is no physical evidence connecting any of these fires together," Ponath said.

Likewise, Shelly Duval, public information officer for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and FIrearms, said she had little information from the ATF investigators called in by the state fire marshall's office last week. She said ATF agents are assisting in the investigation, which is being led by local police and firefighters.

Investigators into the Gaylord fire continue to follow up on leads and are asking the public to come forward with any information. A $2,500 arson reward is also being offered in the case.

Interviews of witnesses to the Winthrop fire are being conducted, and investigators say the public's help is also wanted.

Ponath said no arrests have been made in connection with the Arlington fire.

Although evidence at the scenes of the Gaylord and Arlington fires appeared to suggest that both incidents were arson, investigators have said they've found nothing that confirms those suspicions.

So far, they have determined that the blaze that consumed most of the Unidoor warehouse in Gaylord began in the southeast corner of the building and spread throughout the building. However, the cause of the fire has not been disclosed.

Information from some of the firefighters who fought the April 20 fire, combined with evidence found in the surviving portions of the warehouse, seemed to suggest that the fire was arson but were not conclusive.

The nature and the cause of fire at the Winthrop grain elevator on April 28 is still undetermined. State fire marshals combed through a 30-foot pile of debris last week and much of the grain from the elevator was salvaged.

Investigators said the relationship of those fires to the broken glass jar and paper rag found near the Arlington lumber yard is also unclear at this point.