by Mike Knaak
editor@thenewsleaders.com
The owner of the Press Bar and Parlor was charged March 2 with two counts of first-degree arson in the fire that destroyed the downtown St. Cloud bar.
Authorities arrested Andrew Charles Welsh, 40, of St. Joseph on Feb. 29 after investigators determined the fire was deliberately set. The building was insured for $1.3 million. A criminal complaint contends the business had been failing.
Read the criminal complaint, which has more details about the fire investigation.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Response Team, the St. Cloud Fire Department, St. Cloud Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office collectively made the determination the fire was intentionally set, according to a statement from the agencies.
Judge John H. Scherer set bail at $1.2 million unconditional or $200,000 with conditions.
Fire broke out early on the morning of Feb. 17 in the 100-year-old building.
Despite a daylong effort by firefighters, fire destroyed the 100-year-old building with damage estimated at more than $1 million.
Investigators blocked off surrounding streets while they dug through the rubble at the corner of Fifth Avenue and St. Germain Street.
