$5K reward offered in Hank’s Hideout fire

A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the identification of the person or persons responsible for the fire this summer that destroyed Hank’s Hideout, 643 Spinning Road.

The reward, posted by the Division of the State Fire Marshal, was announced Wednesday following the determination that the July 1 blaze at the pub has been ruled arson, according to Shane Cartmill, public information officer, Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of the State Fire Marshal.

All accidental causes have been eliminated and investigators have specific information that indicates the fire was intentionally set, according to the state fire marshal’s office, which also noted that information about how and where the fire was started will not be released at this time because the investigation has not been completed.

At the time of the incident, Riverside fire Lt. Chris Tesarz said crews found a two-story bar fully engulfed when they arrived on scene, dispatched on the report that came in at 5:20 a.m. The warm weather prompted a call for a second alarm, and fire units from Huber Heights, Fairborn, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Beavercreek responded to lend assistance and set up a rotation to guard against heat-related fatigue.

Tesarz said the building was deemed a total loss, and the state fire marshal was asked to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call the state fire marshal at (800) 589-2728.