Arson Suspected In Lakeview Fire

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A fire that destroyed an apartment building under construction in Birmingham's Lakeview district - and an adjacent law office - is being investigated as a case of arson, according to officials. The fire occurred just after midnight September 27, and caused the relocation of several nearby residents and a serious leg injury to a Birmingham firefighter.

"After our on-scene investigation over the last seven days, the National Response Team along with the Birmingham Fire and Rescue, the Birmingham Police Department and the ATF Nashville Field Division have determined this was fire intentionally set and we are classifying this fire as incendiary," said Paul Claflin, Team leader of the ATF National Response Team at a press conference Wednesday.

A $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest. Anyone can submit a tip by calling the local ATF office or the Birmingham Police Department. They can also submit information through the "Report It" app on their smartphones. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Although authorities have not said what evidence revealed, they did say video footage from area businesses, and have also determined where the fire was started. The fire burned from midnight until past 6 a.m. that morning, but the manner in which the fire was set has not been revealed by investigators.

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