Press Bar Fire Intentionally Set, Business Owner Arrested
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — 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 today, Feb. 29, classifying the fire that destroyed the Press Bar and Parlor as incendiary, an intentionally set fire.
Based on the investigation, authorities identified Andy Welsh, the business owner from St. Joseph, Minn., as the individual responsible for setting the fire.
Authorities arrested Welsh today 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.
ATF is the only federal agency responsible for enforcing the federal laws pertaining to arson. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.
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