$5K Reward Offered In Wis. Elementary School Arson

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Authorities are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the arson fire that damaged St. Croix Central Elementary School located in Roberts, Wis.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the reward Wednesday.

"This arson was an attack on a public institution that displaced hundreds of students and educators for the remainder of the school year. Destruction of public property by arson is a particularly cowardly violent crime and I will make sure that all of ATF's resources are made available throughout this investigation," ATF St. Paul Field Division Special Agent in Charge Scott D. Sweetow said.

On Tuesday morning, crews were called to the school on a report of a fire. When authorities arrived, flames were shooting up in the air out of the roof of the school. The fire likely started in the front of the school near administrative offices and the school's library.

Authorities said there were signs of a forced entry before the fire started.

The loss value of the school and contents is estimated to be approximately $1.5 million.

Anyone with information can call the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office at 715-386-4701 or the ATF Office at 608-441-5050. Both are anonymous.