Person of Interest Sought in Fire at Popular Restaurant

Investigators have released video footage of a person of interest inside a popular Upper Marlboro restaurant last week before a suspicious fire broke out.

Prince George’s County Fire Department Spokesman Mark Brady said on Twitter Sunday that the public should share leads on the three-alarm blaze at Tuckers Restaurant, established on Marlboro Pike since 1969. The eatery caught fire early on the morning of June 17, according to a report by the Prince George’s County Fire Department.

The estimated loss in the fire is put at $1.3 million Brady said.

Fire investigators have released a video of a person of interest. Viewers are asked to pay attention to the suspect’s clothes, the way the person walks, and what the person is carrying including the red container used behind the bar.

Anyone with information is asked to call 301-77-ARSON (27766) anonymously for call the Crime Solvers tip line 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or visithttp://pgcrimesolvers.com . A cash reward up to $1,000 is being offered.

One firefighter was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and released. More than 100 firefighters were alerted of the fire by a 911 call claiming smoke was flowing out of the roof of Tuckers.

After 30 minutes of battling the blaze, firefighters were called out of the building due to fear of a potential roof collapse. They continued to fight the flames from outside the building, using “master streams” to provide high volumes of water. Firefighters perched themselves atop ladders to gain higher ground as they fought the fire from outside the structure.

Officials said the bulk of the fire was quelled by 5:10 a.m.