'Street of Dreams' arson: $10,000 reward fund for information leading to arrest or conviction

SEATTLE - NW Insurance Council and Arson Alarm Foundation offer a $10,000 award fund to anyone with information that leads to the arrest or conviction of the arsonists responsible for burning five million-dollar Street of Dreams show homes in Snohomish County.

Damage is estimated at $7 million. Anyone who has knowledge of these fires is encouraged to call the Arson Hotline (800-55-ARSON) or contact local authorities. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for an award.

"Arsonists hurt all of us by destroying lives and property and by driving up insurance rates," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president, "and these arsonists will likely strike again unless they are apprehended. Citizens are encouraged to call the Arson Hotline with any information they have about these fires."

Three homes were destroyed and two others had smoke damage, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff's office.

Arson is a deadly and costly crime, killing hundreds of people each year and destroying billions of dollars in property. Nationally, arson kills more than 300 people each year and injures thousands. Firefighters are put at needless risk.

Nearly 31,000 deliberately set fires destroyed $755 million in insured property in 2006, including factories, residential buildings, churches and motor vehicles, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

FBI statistics indicate only 17 percent of all arson offenses result in arrests. NW Insurance Council and Arson Alarm Foundation offer an annual $10,000 Arson Award Fund for Washington residents who provide tips to authorities that result in the arrest or conviction of arsonists.

If you have information about an arson or suspicious fire, call the Arson Hotline at 800-55-ARSON or contact your local authorities. You may be eligible for an award.

The Arson Alarm Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 to Washington citizens over the past decade. For more information about arson, visit www.nwinsurance.org.

NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization funded by member insurance companies serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Arson Alarm Foundation is a nonprofit organization that seeks to reduce loss of life and property by increasing arson awareness.

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