$6K Reward Offered In Arson Of General Store Near Brainerd

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Police suspect an arsonist is to blame for a fire near Brainerd that destroyed a man's home and damaged his business.

Investigators found trails of gasoline around the home and on Grandpa's General Store in Merrifield.

The store was badly burned in the November fire, but repairs are underway on the general store, and it's expected to reopen in the spring.

A passerby spotted the fire in the early hours of Nov. 1, 2014, from County Road 3 in Crow Wing County.

Gas trails were also found on three other nearby buildings, which did not catch fire.

A $2,000 to $6,000 reward is available for information that leads to an arrest.

Anyone with information arson is asked to call the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020.