Waltham Marshalls Fire Ruled Arson, $5K Reward

WALTHAM, MA — Fire officials said the fire at Marshalls in early August was set on purpose.

The Waltham Police and Waltham Fire departments, in conjunction with the Mass State police, are now asking for the public's help to identify the arsonist who lit clothes on fire at the Marshalls on Market Place Drive.

"The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's Office is offering up to $5,000 reward for any information that leads to the identity of the suspect," according to a joint statement.

Just after noon on Aug. 2, several people called 911 to report a fire at the Marshalls. The fire appeared to start at —or spread quickly to— a clothing rack. The fire department was able to douse the flames quickly, extinguishing the fire, according to police and fire officials.

Officials began an investigation but only recently determined it was arson.

Police are now asking anyone with information about the fire to call 1-800 682-9229, the Waltham Police Detective Division at 781-314-3550, or the Waltham Fire Department 781-314-3700.

The fire at department store prompted an evacuation but no one was injured, according to fire officials.

In 2017 a fire on Cooper Street, one of Waltham's largest, destroyed a 264-unit apartment building under construction, displaced hundreds of people for several hours as they had to evacuate their homes, and damaged two adjacent buildings and 20 cars. It was an estimated loss of $110 million. The Cooper Street fire case is also still open. There's a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest there.

Read more:

• Fire At Marshalls In Waltham
• Waltham Arson $100K Reward: Video Shows Suspect

Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece.