Police are asking for the public's help in identifying an arsonist who set a fire at a paper company west of downtown Minneapolis last month, causing $10,000 in losses.
The department released surveillance video showing someone setting fire to the bales on April 25, using what police described as a "garden-style torch."
Additional video showed the blaze spreading to other bales of recycled material at Pioneer Paper, 179 N. Irving Av.
The fire engulfed tons of recyclable paper products and wooden pallets outside the company's facilities and nearly ignited a tank of fuel nearby.
On its website, Pioneer describes itself as is "a leader in the Twin Cities market with both a recycling operation and a secure shred division." It said it has run recycling operations in Minneapolis for more than 100 years." The Star Tribune is among Pioneer's many clients.
Police said that before setting fire to the bales, three white men in their 20s or early 30s, one of whom was seen carrying the torch, were observed near N. 1½ Avenue and Oliver Avenue, walking in the direction of Pioneer Paper.
Just before 10:30 p.m., the men were seen approaching Pioneer Paper from adjacent railroad tracks, police said.
The flame thrower likely used was similar to the wand for a pressure washer or a device like one police included in the video made available to the public, the department said.
