A $20,000 reward in the investigation of an arson fire that killed an Asheville captain earlier this year has been offered by the ATF, City of Ashville and Asheville-Buncombe Crime Stoppers.
The agencies announced the reward on Wednesday, four months after Capt. Jeffery Scott Bowen perished in the blaze at a medical office building at 445 Biltmore Center.
Firefighters had issues getting water on the blaze due to a faulty standpipe and the 13-year veteran was overcome by heat and smoke as he tried to leave the building after his crew was unable to get the water to flow.
Nine of Bowen's fellow firefighters were treated for injuries during the fire on July 28 and 200 civilians were able to escape the building unharmed.
Investigators previously determined that the fire was set after someone poured fuel in four spots inside a fifth-floor suite and used a pass key to gain access.
ATF officials say they need more information to continue the investigation.
"There does come a time in every criminal investigation where we reach out to the public for information to help further the investigation, and we reward them," Agent Earl Woodham told the Asheville Citizen-Times. "We have reached that stage in this fire investigation."
The investigation was been a joint effort by the ATF, Ashville police and fire department and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation.
"It is imperative that we identify the person or persons involved in this tragedy," Asheville Fire Chief Scott Burnett told the newspaper.
Burnett spoke with Bowen's family about the reward and said that they are urging anyone with information to come forward.
