Fall River building fire considered suspicious, police say

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River police said Thursday the fire that destroyed a building earlier this week is being considered suspicious.

The fire happened just after 5 p.m. Tuesday on Brightman Street.

A building on Brightman Street in Fall River is seen destroyed after a fire, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (WLNE)

The building, which housed a former theater and casket company, was declared a total loss. It’s scheduled to be demolished at a later date.

A reward sign for alleged arson was posted at the site, offering $5,000 for information about the fire.

A sign that reads, “REWARD UP TO $5,000 IF YOU KNOW WHO DID THIS, CALL 1-800-682-9229” is seen posted, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, outside the Brightman Street building that caught fire earlier this week. (WLNE)

Homeless people were known to frequent the building, according to authorities. It was unclear if anyone was inside at the time of the incident.