Fire Officials: Tobacco Barn Fires Arson
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2009 | Updated 9:24 PM EDT
Kevin Marsella / NBC Connecticut
Firefighters had difficulty reaching the iconic red barns, so the flames continued to build.
The fire that burned three tobacco barns to the ground in Windsor Locks was intentionally set, officials said.
Deputy Fire Marshal John Kupernik tells NBC Connecticut that investigators have ruled out all probable causes other than arson.
Investigators are asking anyone who was in the area of the barns on Old Country Road Monday between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m., and may have seen anything suspicious to contact the Fire Marshal's office at 860-627-1467.
Information can also be called into an arson tip hotline at 1-800-842-7766. A reward of $2,500 is available.
Dense smoke could be seen for miles Monday as the sheds went up on flames on the property off of Route 20. It took more than 100 firefighters from several towns to put the blaze out. The sheds were empty, and not being used to store tobacco this season.
The property is owned by O.J. Thrall, who had no comment on the fires Monday.
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