Meridian Fire Department officials are asking the public for help identifying those who may be responsible for setting a house fire early Monday on 24th Ave.

Fire Chief Michael Evans said firefighters responded to 1901 24th Ave. around 1:58 a.m. for a structure fire, where they found “heavy fire showing out of the structure.” While electric service was currently on at the house, which was known by some as the Magnolia House, firefighters do not believe anyone was living there at the time of the fire, he said.

The fire took several hours to put out, Evans said, but once a preliminary investigation was conducted, Fire Marshall Vince Vincent and Fire Investigator Keith Reed found it necessary to call the state fire marshal’s office for help.

“Once the state fire marshal’s office arrived on scene, it was determined that it was a good possibility it was arson,” he said. “And so we’re investigating this as an incendiary fire, which is arson.”

Reed said the state fire marshal is assisting in the investigation and providing additional resources, but Meridian Fire Department is leading the investigation.

“If there is an arrest made, it will be prosecuted here locally,” he said.

Evans said the state fire marshal’s office is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call Reed at 601-485-1822, East Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 855-485-TIPS or the state fire marshal’s office at 601-359-1061.

“We just want the public to know that we take all fires here in Meridian seriously and that arson will not be tolerated here in the city of Meridian,” he said. “And if y’all can give us a few tips and leads on it, someone will be held responsible for this crime.”