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PAULDING, Ohio (Indiana's NewsCenter) - Police need your help finding a man they believe could be linked to Sunday’s arson in Paulding, Ohio.
They're looking for a man 20- 30 years-old, around five-foot-nine, weighs around 200 pounds.
Police say he was seen fleeing the former Barnes Hotel wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt just before the 911 call was made to report the fire.
There is a $5,000 reward for a tip leading to the ID of the suspect.
If you have any information regarding the investigation you can call the Ohio Fire Marshal's Office at 1-800-589-2728.
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Suspicions are confirmed, as Sunday's fire in downtown Paulding is determined to be the result of arson.
Signs posted outside of the former hotel at 110 S Williams Street indicate that the Ohio Fire Marshal has ruled arson was behind the blaze that kept fire crews busy for nearly nine hours Sunday afternoon and evening.
Officials with the Paulding Fire Department say the building is a total loss. Fire crews were able to keep the flames contained to the vacant hotel, but local business owners report damage from smoke and embers on rooftops.
No injuries have been reported, but several residents in neighboring downtown apartments are being aided by the American Red Cross.
Anyone with information is urged to alert the Ohio Fire Marshal's Office at 1-800-589-2728.
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PAULDING, Ohio (Indiana's NewsCenter) -- Paulding fire crews fight the blaze that completely engulfs a downtown building -- one that some hoped would be torn down in the near future.
According to dispatch, the fire started right before 2:00 p.m. in a vacant building at 110 South Williams Street. At one point the fire completely engulfed the entire building, but by 3:45 p.m. emergency crews said the main building fire was contained.
Crews are still working to put out the smoldering embers and control the smoke. Right now fire fighters' efforts are focused on keeping the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings.
Emergency Medical Technician Con Shuherk said, "The biggest concern right now is the safety of our fire and emergency crews. We'll keep fighting, but saving the vacant building is not priority."
The building has been vacant for about three years. A City Council member on scene said there was a legal battle over the building. It was going to cost $80,000 to tear the building down over safety concerns. The issue was headed to court January 19th.
INC's team of photographers are on location and will bring back the whole story for our 6 o'clock newscast.
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