Crime & Safety

ATF Now Offering $5,000 Reward in Riverdale Arson Case

Seven firefighters were injured as a result of the February attack.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with the Riverdale Heights arson attack .

On the night of Feb. 24, units responded to a report of heavy flames at 6404 57th Ave. As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze from inside, a gust of wind swept through the structure, creating "fireball-like conditions."

Seven members of the and Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department were transported to Medstar Washington Hospital Center with burns, fractures, and other injuries. Two remained there for an extended period of time, the last of whom—Bladensburg Sgt. Kevin O'Toole—.

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Fire officials later announced that they believed . Investigators also found evidence of a previously unreported fire in the home next door (6402 57th Ave.).

Anyone with information about the fire or those responsible is urged to contact the ATF at 1-888-ATF-FIRE 24 hours a day. Your identity will remain confidential.

Find out what's happening in Riverdale Park-University Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Prince George's County's Crime Solvers tip line is offering a separate cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the capture of the alleged fugitive(s) responsible for February's fire. Contact 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) to speak to county officials.


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