Bethlehem Fire Marshal Craig Baer released a statement April 2 deeming the March 25 Mauch Chunk Road fire a result of arson.

The early-morning blaze tore through the large Monocacy Fabricators building just prior to employees arriving for the first shift at 4 a.m. Fire Chief Bob Novatnack said previously no employees or 60-odd emergency responders at the scene were injured.

The fire marshal's office is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in this crime. Investigators are specifically interested in speaking with anyone who may have traveled Mauch Chunk Road in the area of Monocacy Fabrication between the hours of 2 and 3:45 a.m. the morning of March 25.

Anyone with valid information regarding people or vehicles seen in this place and time is asked to please contact the fire marshal's office at 610-865-7143.