Reward raised in Tolo arson

Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, August 23, 2006

The stakes have been raised in the Battle Point Drive arson investigation.

As investigators continue to search for information, the owners of an

unfinished $3 million house that was torched there in June have increased the

reward offer to $25,000.

“This was done to keep the issue at the forefront and hopefully encourage

more people to come forward with information,” said Glen Tyrrell, acting chief of the

Bainbridge Island Fire Department.

The 5,790-square-foot home off Tolo Road was 60 percent

complete and unoccupied when it was set afire June 24.

Signs offering a $10,000 reward — funded by The Arson Alarm Foundation and

the Washington Insurance Council — were posted at the site last month.

Now the Sneller family, which was developing the property, has stepped forward with its own reward to assist

investigators. Anyone wiith information on the blaze is asked tocall 780-4696 or 1-800-55-ARSON.

Bainbridge Police are leading the investigation with help from the fire

department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, who

were integral in the early stages of the investigation.

Investigators say the fire started in the home’s basement. Evidence found at the site was sent to an ATF lab in California,

but the results have not yet been disclosed.

“They should be coming,” Tyrrell said. “Now we’re waiting for more people

to come forward.”