Reward Being Offered in Melrose Church Fire Investigation

MELROSE - A reward up to $7,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the March 11th fire that heavily damaged the Church of St. Mary in Melrose.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal's Office, through the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators are posting the reward.

The fire happened just before 4:45 p.m. on March 11th. The church, which was built back in 1898 and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, had extensive damage to its west side. The blaze caused $5 million in damages.

Anyone with information should call the ATF hotline at 888-ATF-FIRE or the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 800-723-2020. Callers can remain anonymous.

More information on the ATF and their programs can be found by clicking here.