Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NEWARK, Del. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division announced today a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for setting fire to a townhouse on Aug. 17 and the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on Aug. 25, both in Newark. At this time, investigators do not have evidence linking the two fires together but have not ruled out that possibility. ATF Special Agents from the Wilmington Field Office are working alongside the Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Aug. 17, a fire was discovered inside a townhouse under construction in the unit block of East Cleveland Avenue. The interior of the townhouse was damaged by fire, which investigators determined to be intentionally set. The townhouse was unoccupied when the fire damage was discovered and there were no reported injuries. Damage is estimated at $5,000. An individual was captured on video surveillance in the area of East Cleveland Avenue on the morning of the fire has been referred to as a person of interest but may be a witness. Investigators would like to speak with the individual regarding anything suspicious they may have seen.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on Aug. 25, a blaze was reported in the 200 block of South College Avenue. The building where the fire occurred houses the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and the fire was determined to be intentionally set. Heavy fire damage is estimated at $200,000. There were no reported injuries. There is currently no indication to suggest that this fire was a hate crime.

Anyone with information about either of these fires, about the person or persons who committed either of these fires, or about the individual in the video is asked to contact investigators immediately. To provide tips to ATF Special Agents, call 888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov. To provide tips to the Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal’s New Castle Division, call 302-323-5375 or email fire.marshal@delaware.gov. 

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov. Follow @ATFBaltimore on Twitter for more news about ATF’s work in Delaware and Maryland.

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