A $5,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the suspected arson of a recently abandoned building on Camino del Rio.
Durango police Cmdr. Ray Shupe said the reward is being offered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“We’re still under the premise this isn’t accidental based on crime scene information that we have,” Shupe said. “We’ve collected a lot of evidence … that has to be gone through, but we’re certainly looking for anyone who may have seen anything.”
Just before midnight Sunday, the five-decade-old building at 1111 Camino del Rio, just south of Natural Grocers, was reported on fire. About a dozen businesses had moved out by mid-May to make way for construction of an 86-room hotel.
The fire destroyed about 40 percent of the building, authorities said, and has resulted in an investigation that involves the Durango Police Department, ATF, Durango Fire Protection District and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
“We have multiple leads that we’re following,” said Brian Heaton, a detective with Durango police. “But we’re really interested in talking with anyone with information on the fire.”
Shupe added that investigators haven’t “ruled anyone out as a possible suspect.” Investigators are reviewing security footage from surrounding businesses, and conducting interviews with witnesses.
Those who may have information helpful to the investigation are asked to call the tip line at (800) 283-4867 or call Heaton directly at 375-4734.
