ATF Extends $5,000 Reward in Bozeman School Fire to include other Suspicious Fires

Numerous area fires appear to be intentionally set

BOZEMAN, Mont., Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Andrew L. Traver, Denver Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with Bozeman Police Chief Ron Price and Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin, today announced the previous reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fire at Heritage Christian School, 4310 Durston Road, Bozeman, will be extended to several other fires that occurred in Bozeman over the past four weeks.  

Between Aug. 25 and Sept. 23 Law Enforcement and Fire Departments have responded to the following fires:  Heritage Christian School; a business located at 1087 Stoneridge Drive; trailer #24 at 1207 E. Main Street; trailer #27 at 816 N. 17th Street; a dumpster at 815 N. 5th Ave; and a home under construction at 3782 Pipestone Drive.  A male resident was sleeping in the trailer at 1207 E. Main Street and was fortunate to escape the fire without serious harm.  An investigation of these fires is still ongoing, but at this time they all appear to be intentionally set.     

"ATF will continue to dedicate its resources to this community and is committed to finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice," said Traver. 

All fire scenes are being investigated by ATF Billings Field Office, Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, Bozeman Fire Department, and the Bozeman Police Department.  Anyone with information about this crime should contact the following agencies:

Gallatin County Sheriff's Office: 911

Bozeman Police Department:  (406) 582-2000

Crimestoppers:  (406) 586-1131

ATF Arson Hotline 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473)

ATF Billings Field Office: (406) 657-9700

All information will be treated confidentially and callers can remain anonymous upon request.  

More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

Contact:
Special Agent/PIO Brad Beyersdorf
(303) 575-7604
www.atf.gov

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives