Reward offered in arson at commissioner's home

7/8/2006

FREMONT - A reward of up to $5,000 was offered yesterday for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for setting fire to the shed of a Sandusky County commissioner.

The reward was offered through the state fire marshal's office's blue ribbon arson fund.

An early morning fire on Thursday destroyed Brad Smith's shed and spread to his garage before it was extinguished.

Mr. Smith and the other two county commissioners had received threatening letters over the issue of permitting large farms in the county.

Investigators said they have not made a link between the letters and the fire.

Police Chief Monte Huss said the fire was set deliberately.