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ST. GEORGE — Federal officials are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for starting a fire that destroyed a Latter-day Saint stake center last month.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Denver is investigating the blaze and offered the reward, according to a news release from the agency.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 449 S. 300 East in St. George caught fire in the early morning hours of Jan. 26.
The fire all but destroyed the brand new building, which was under construction and set to be finished within the next month. The stake center is located across the street from the St. George Temple.
.@ATF_Denver is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the person(s) responsible for starting a fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. George, Utah on Jan. 26 at 1:15 a.m. Call St. George Police Dept. at (435) 627-4338 or ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS pic.twitter.com/Z1cLoKC1D6
— ATF Denver (@ATF_Denver) February 6, 2019
Police previously announced they were not classifying the fire as arson, but did not rule that out as the cause.
Last week, investigators in St. George said they were searching for the occupants of a silver SUV that was seen in the area when the fire occurred. The occupants of the car were not being considered suspects in the case, but police wanted to talk to them, investigators said.
The Utah State Fire Marshall and St. George Police Department are also investigating the fire.
St. George police are asking anyone who may have information about the fire to contact them at 435-627-4338.
People can also contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives by calling 1-888-ATF-TIPS or emailing atftips@atf.gov.
