Blanchester house fire ruled arson

A Thursday house fire at 607 S. Broadway St. in Blanchester is being investigated.

The structure fire was ruled an arson by the state fire marshal’s office.

BLANCHESTER — A fire at a residential structure in Blanchester has been ruled an arson by the State Fire Marshal’s Division Office of Fire and Explosion Investigation, according to a news release. Investigators are asking the public for advice to help identify those responsible.

On Thursday, June 8 at approximately 3:16 p.m., the Blanchester Fire Department was dispatched to 607 S. Broadway St. Office of Fire and Explosion Investigation investigators have ruled on the arson and are working cooperatively with the Blanchester Police Department in the ongoing investigation. .

Andy Ellinger of the state fire marshal’s office told the News Journal they couldn’t explain specifically why investigators determined it was an arson attack.

The Blue Ribbon Arson Committee is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this fire.

Anyone with information should contact the State Fire Marshal’s Inquiry Line at 800-589-2728.

The Blanchester Fire Department has been contacted for comment on the fire. The call was not immediately returned.