Contacts
If you have any information about the fire, call the Austin Police Department at 437-9400 or the Minnesota Arson Reward Project's hot line at 1-800-723-2020.
From staff reports
Someone intentionally set a fire Aug. 20 that damaged a southwest Austin home, according to investigators.
Authorities are looking for more information about the fire that happened about 3:10 p.m. at 710 12th Ave. S.W.
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The blaze appears to have started in a basement bedroom, Austin Fire Chief Dan Wilson said this morning.
Yuneisy and Angel Lopez own the home, which sustained an estimated $30,000 in damage. The blaze was contained to the basement, but the entire house had smoke damage, Wilson said.
Angel Lopez and his brother Armondo had moved out of the home on that Sunday, prior to the fire, Wilson said. No one was home when the blaze started; a neighbor called for help after seeing and smelling smoke.
Authorities spoke with Angel Lopez but haven't been able to locate Armondo Lopez, who hasn't shown up for work. Armondo Lopez lived in the basement bedroom where the fire started, they said.
Police Chief Paul Philipp said it's believed Armondo Lopez was in the country illegally and might have left the area.
Wilson said he couldn't comment on what might have been used to start the fire.
A reward up of to $2,500 will be given to anyone who gives information leading to the arrest or conviction of the person who might have set the fire.
