After investigation by the Nassau County Police Department's Fire Marshall's Office deemed the fire suspicious, has been ruled an arson case, according to Detective Michael Bartlett of the NCPD Arson Squad.
The NCPD, along with Crime Stoppers and the Arson & Bomb Squad are seeking the public's help in locating the subject(s) in connection with the arson which occurred Sept. 1, 2011 at approximately 3:10 a.m. on St. Rocco's Place.
Detective Vinny Garcia of the department's Public Information Office said the blaze was ruled an arson after several other causes were ruled out.
"The most popular causes of fires are electrical and lightning," said Det. Garcia. "There was no electricity installed in the building yet, there was no rain that night, and we know there was no lightning. We believe the fire was set by someone, with an incendiary."
Garcia said that the specific cause of the blaze and any evidence discovered are part of an ongoing investigation.
The incident followed an after a previous fire partially destroyed the building in December, 2007. The bakery was under construction and scheduled to re-open this fall.
“It was engulfed,” said bakery owner, Lisa, after the fire. “It’s pretty devastating.”
Anyone with information regarding the fire is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-244-TIPS, and they are offering up to a $5,000 reward. All calls will remain anonymous.
