St. Michael Lumberyard Fire Deemed "Suspicious," Reward Offered

The has changed its investigation of the Simonson Lumber Yard fire in dowtown St. Michael, now categorizing the Jan. 7 blaze as "suspicious."

The investigation remains open, and is ongoing, but the fire department and Wright County Sheriff's Department have, indeed, detrmined the fire was set by someone in the early morning hours that Saturday. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office is also handling the investigation.

As a result, a reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by the Minnesota Chapter International Association of Arson Investigators for the arrest and conviction of the person(s) that might be responsible for the blaze.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020.

, and involved three fire departments, as St. Michael called in for mutual aid from both Hanover and Albertville. The main structure was fully involved and was a total loss, according to St. Michael Fire Chief Steve Hosch.

Winds of up to 20 mph also pushed the fire, but crews were able to protect other buildings along St. Michael Parkway and First Street using a "defensive fire attack," Hosch said.

Crews closed lanes on both Highway 241 and St. Michael Parkway as they battled the blaze, which shot flames at least three stories high.