Rewards Offered For Suspected Arson

Rewards are now being offered to find those suspected of being responsible for setting several suspicious fires in the area recently. The fires this past Thursday was too much of a coincidence to not call it the work of an arsonist. Authorities don't know if this is the work of one individual or more. Whichever it is these people have to be stopped.

The Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee (BRAC) have posted signs near the sites of the suspicious fires offering rewards of up to $5,000. The Farm Bureau also has an offer for a reward of $1,500.

The BRAC was established in 1978 and is composed of fire fighters, police officers and insurance officials. They offer rewards for information leading to the identification of person (s) responsible for an act of arson according to their web cite. Any informant can remain anonymous. The Farm Bureau is part of Nationwide Insurance.

The loss of hay alone in Thursday's fires was much more than what was reported in the news. I've been told that the loss was in excess of 11,000 bales between the two places. That is a major portion of a year's livelihood for those two families. That's just the hay. That's not counting the loss of buildings, equipment and attacks on the folks that live and breath for their efforts they put into farming. You can't put a dollar value on that last part. Hopefully they will be able to recover with time.

In an article in this morning's MJ it was reported that the fire fighters from both Wellsville and Highlandtown wanted to thank all those in the community for their support and generosity. The Red Cross was the first and was there with coffee, water and donuts for the fire fighters. Later many businesses in the area along with friends and neighbors started showing up with food and refreshments. Their efforts kept the fire fighters going during the 20 hours it took to knock those fires down. Someone that was at the Boyd place throughout the whole ordeal said is was truly heart warming to see all those people walking down Route 39 bringing that stuff to eat and drink to the scene. Then there was the support of all the other fire departments from all over the area showing up with men and equipment to lend a hand. For such a tragic time it was awesome and gives proof that some of the best people in the world are right here in this area.

People in our rural areas are very nervous because of these sickos responsible. It shouldn't be that way. Lord help them if they are caught by some of the farmers. Those farmers are being extremely vigilant because of them. I don't think they will be very nice and I can't blame them. If you know of anything or see anything call it in. We really, desperately need a break in this and now there are rewards being offered. You can call the 800 number on the sign or any law enforcement agency in the area.

ole nib