WASHINGTON — Public safety agencies in Daviess County are appealing to the public for assistance as state and local authorities investigate a string of suspicious fires that have struck the City of Washington over the past several months.
According to Washington Firefighters Local 495, investigators suspect arson in approximately 15 structure fires reported across the city over the last four months.
The incidents have prompted a joint task force investigation involving the Washington Fire Department, the Washington Police Department, and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Fire officials and law enforcement are asking residents throughout Washington to remain vigilant and take active security measures, including reviewing home security cameras, video doorbells, and commercial surveillance footage for unusual activity.
Authorities are advising residents to report any suspicious individuals, unusual vehicular traffic near vacant or vulnerable structures, or unexpected activity during late-night and early-morning hours. Officials caution the public not to confront any suspicious individuals directly, but to contact law enforcement immediately.
Arson investigations in Indiana typically focus on establishing origin and cause while gathering physical evidence and eyewitness accounts. Under Indiana law, arson involving an occupied structure or resulting in bodily injury can carry severe felony charges, leading to multi-year prison sentences and substantial fines.
How to Report Information
A financial incentive is available for information that leads to a breakthrough in the cases:
- State Arson Hotline: A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) Arson Hotline for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-382-4628.
- Local Dispatch: Non-emergency tips or immediate reports of suspicious activity in the area can be directed to Daviess County Central Dispatch at 812-254-1060.
