Feds Launch Investigation Into 135 Fires In Twin Cities

MINNEAPOLIS — Members of the national response team of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrived in Minneapolis earlier this week to begin working with local, state and federal partners to investigate fires set during the recent unrest in the Twin Cities.

Violent protests erupted across the metro following the death of George Floyd.

The ATF is working alongside the Minneapolis Fire Department, Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division on the investigations of approximately 100 business fires in Minneapolis and 35 business fires in St. Paul.

"The cause of these fires is quite obvious," said Special Agent in Charge William Henderson, of the St. Paul Field Division, in a statement.

"The task at hand now is to determine who is responsible. ATF’s National Response Team is going to be a tremendous asset. It brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to assist local police and fire departments in large-scale fire investigations."

In addition to the national members who were activated, ATF’s local field division of special agents and support staff who normally cover Minnesota and the surrounding states are working to support these investigations, according to a news release.

"The extra personnel will help move these investigations along more quickly," Henderson continued. "Our goal here is to assist in these fire scene investigations alongside our local, state and federal partners, bringing them all to a successful conclusion."

The teams are each composed of veteran special agents who have post-blast and fire origin-and-cause expertise, forensic chemists, explosives enforcement officers, fire protection engineers, accelerant detection canines, explosives detection canines, intelligence support, computer forensic support, and audit support.