ST. PAUL — Authorities are renewing their call for information from the public about an arson in November 2016 that gutted a new city hall under construction in the east metro suburb of Lakeland.
A preliminary investigation by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
State Fire Marshal Division (SFMD) and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office found the fire was intentionally set, though tips on who started the blaze eventually dried up, and the investigation went dormant. The SFMD case is still open.
Authorities are still looking for information to lead them to the arsonist and are bringing the case to the forefront again during Arson Awareness Week (May 5-11). This year’s Arson Awareness Week theme is
“Preventing Arson at Construction Sites.”
“Someone out there knows something,” Minnesota State Fire Marshal Bruce West said. “Even the tiniest bit of information could help break this case wide open and give the community the answers it deserves.”
Anyone with information about the fire can call the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 800-723-2020 or provide information online at
mniaai.org. A reward of up to $5,000 is available through the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.
There have been 446 fires over the past five years at construction, demolition or renovation sites in Minnesota. Those fires caused $28.4 million in property damage and $7.7 million in content loss. Approximately 16 percent of fires with determined causes were started intentionally.
Fires at construction, demolition or renovation sites (2018-2014)
- 2018: 81 fires caused $10.2 million in property damage and $2.3 million in content loss.
- 2017: 70 fires caused $2.5 million in property damage and $412,000 in content loss.
- 2016: 93 fires caused $5.5 million in property damage and $2 in million content loss.
- 2015: 94 fires caused $6.5 million in property damage and $2 in million content loss.
- 2014: 105 fires caused $3.6 million in property damage and $945,000 in content loss.
About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
DPS comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the State Fire Marshal Division
The mission of the State Fire Marshal Division is to protect lives and property by fostering a fire-safe environment through fire/arson investigation, code development and enforcement, regulation, data collection and public education. Data collected by the State Fire Marshal Division from fire departments statewide is analyzed and used to determine the best methods of public education and enforcement to improve fire safety in our state.
