Crime & Safety
Man Burned Down His St. Cloud Bar For The Insurance Money: Feds
The man falsely claimed he was entitled to $1,430,123 in insurance money for the loss of his bar, police said.
ST. CLOUD, MN — The owner of a bar in St. Cloud has admitted to intentionally setting fire to his establishment as part of a scheme to obtain insurance money.
Andrew C. Welsh, 42, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of arson. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled yet.
The blaze started on Feb. 17, 2020. The fire eventually spread and resulted in the total destruction of the building as well as other losses, according to investigators. Video of the fire was recorded and shared on YouTube.
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Welsh claimed he was entitled to $1,430,123 in insurance money for the loss of his bar. In submitting his insurance claim, he stated that the loss "did not originate by any act, design, or procurement on the part of your insured," authorities said.However, investigators said that in fact, Welsh used gasoline to set a fire in his office located in the basement of the Press Bar.
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