Federal authorities now say the fire that destroyed a bar in downtown St. Cloud was intentionally set, and the bar's owner is in custody on suspicion of arson.
The blaze on Feb. 17 was so extensive the century-old building that housed the Press Bar had to be torn down.
In a statement from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, no further information about the bar fire will be released.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Response Team, the St. Cloud Fire Department, St. Cloud Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office collectively made the determination on Feb. 29, classifying the fire that destroyed the Press Bar and Parlor as incendiary, as intentionally set fire.
Based on the investigation, authorities identified the business owner as the individual responsible for setting the fire. Authorities arrested that man on Saturday pending arson-related charges and booked him into the Stearns County jail.
Investigators will not release further information regarding the case due to the continuing investigation.
Welsh, arrested on probable cause, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. ATF is investigating this case alongside the St. Cloud Fire Dept., St. Cloud Police Dept., and Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office in coordination with the Stearns County Attorney.
The bar's owner has a court appearance on Tuesday.
About 25 members of the AFT National Response team arrived on the scene about five days after the fire.
