Reward offered for information leading to arrest in Greenwood fire

The Northwest Insurance Council and Arson Alarm Foundation are offering $10,000 to help apprehend the arsonists responsible to setting fire to four Greenwood-area businesses Oct. 23.

The blaze caused an estimated $2 million in damage to the Green Bean Coffee House, Szechuan Bistro, C.C. Teriyaki and Pho Tic Tac restaurants.

Anyone with information about this arson can call the arson hotline (800-55-ARSON) or local authorities. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for an award.

Nationally, arsonists set more than 30,000 fires that destroyed $878 million worth of property in 2007. These fires include factories, houses, churches and motor vehicles, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Arson is a difficult crime to solve. FBI statistics show only 17 percent of all arson offenses result in arrests.

The Arson Alarm Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 over the past 12 years. The Northwest Insurance Council and Arson Alarm have sponsored the Arson Award Fund since 1978.