Fire department asks public’s help in identifying person of interest in store arson

The Lexington Fire Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest related to a fire at the At Home furniture store in Hamburg on Dec. 28.

The fire department released a photo of a man walking into the store at 7:04 p.m., roughly 45 minutes before the fire was reported.

Anyone with information related to the fire or the man is encouraged to call Lexington Fire/Arson Investigation Bureau at 859-231-5672, Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600, or email arsontips@lexingtonky.gov.

Firefighters were first called to the furniture store at approximately 7:45 p.m. for a report of smoke in the structure, according to the fire department. When firefighters arrived, they found flames inside the building and the incident was upgraded to a working structure fire.

Firefighters said the building’s overhead sprinkler system was activated and helped control the fire. The building was evacuated as firefighters initially arrived and no injuries were reported.

The commercial business sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage, the fire department said.

An ensuing investigation revealed the fire was intentionally set, per the fire department.