ATF offering $5K for info on Minneapolis apartment fire

Authorities are now offering a reward for information that helps wrap up a Minneapolis apartment fire investigation.

Wednesday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and local fire officials announced a reward of up to $5,000 as they continue to investigate the fire at a south Minneapolis apartment complex on Saturday.

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It happened near the intersection of West 24th Street and Lyndale Avenue South at around 7 a.m.

Firefighters said they believe several squatters were in the building when the fire started. The total damage was estimated at around $1.8 million.

The ATF announced it was helping with the investigation on Monday and is now offering the reward to help move the case along more quickly. To be eligible for the reward, officials say tipsters must provide their name and contact information, and the information must lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible if the fire is determined to have been intentionally started.

“While we have additional specialized National Response Team personnel present here in Minneapolis, we’re going to leverage that advantage by offering a reward now, before a final determination on the origin and cause of the fire is made,” Special Agent in Charge William McCrary, of the St. Paul Field Division, said. “Offering this reward does not mean that any determination as to the cause of the fire has been made. The team is looking at multiple possibilities, and the possibility of accidental, or intentional causes has not been ruled out.

“We encourage people who have valuable information to come forward and help bring this investigation to a successful conclusion,” McCrary added.

Anyone with information is asked to call 888-283-8477 or email ATFtips@ATF.gov.