ATF and the City of Asheville Offer $20,000 Reward for Medical Office Complex Building Fire

Authorities Determine Fire Was Deliberately Set

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the city of Asheville and Asheville-Buncombe Crime Stoppers are offering a combined reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for setting the fire at the Medical Office Complex Building, 445 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, N.C.  Fire Department Captain Jeffery Scott Bowen was killed and over $10 million in damage occurred as a result of the fire.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by ATF, the Asheville Police and Fire departments and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI).

It is the policy of the U.S. Department of Justice and ATF to refrain from releasing or discussing in the public domain any evidence, investigative technique or any other information related to an on-going investigation until all judicial activity has been completed.  In compliance with that policy this news release will stand on its own without any additional investigation related information being added as a result of follow up media inquiries.

Anyone with information about this crime is strongly encouraged to contact these agencies at the following numbers:

ATF Arson Hotline at (888) ATF FIRE or (888) 283-8477

Asheville-Buncombe Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050

NC State Bureau of Investigation at (800) 334-3000

Asheville Police Department (828) 252-1110

All information will be treated confidentially, and callers will remain anonymous if they request.  

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating explosions and fire.  More information on ATF and its programs is at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Earl Woodham  
ATF Supervisory PIO  
(704) 716-1843

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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