Resident at work session offers reward, commission says state fire marshal leading Looney House arson probe

A resident at the St. Clair County Commission work session said he plans to offer a monetary reward for information that could lead to arrests in the burning of the John Looney House. The resident asked to be placed on the full commission agenda Tuesday and asked whether there were any investigation updates.

"Somebody set that house fire, and I believe there's more than 1 person that knows information that that would help convict somebody, and I'm gonna be putting up a reward," the resident said. He said he wanted the offer put in the newspaper to encourage other potential contributors across St. Clair County and beyond.

County officials responded that the investigation is being handled by the State Fire Marshal's office. An agency official told the commission the marshal's office has been in contact with county staff and that the county would welcome monetary assistance to help the probe.

"That is being handled by the State Fire Marshal office. We've certainly been in contact with them, so we would certainly welcome any monetary reward to assist in that," the official said. Commissioners noted that any formal updates or additional action would be discussed at the regular commission meeting on Tuesday.

Commissioners also discussed the broader question of restoration. One commissioner said the county has signaled willingness to help restore the historic structure once the investigation concludes and, where appropriate, coordinate with historical groups.

The resident's request and the commission's response were part of routine public-comment discussion at the work session; the county did not announce any arrests or new findings at the meeting.