Fire behind Brady’s burns two trucks, IFPD says possible arson
UPDATE: 10pm: The Idaho Falls Police said Jason Schlegel has been arrested for arson in connection to the Brady’s fire. He was arrested this evening in the 400 block of Lomax.
Original Story
The Idaho Falls Police Department is searching for a man who is a person of interest with a suspicious fire behind a business Monday afternoon.
Around 3:45 p.m., The Idaho Falls Fire Department was called to a fire burning in the rear of the Brady’s store on the 1400 block of East Lincoln Road.
The Idaho Falls Fire Department says they believe the fire started in a storage unit in the back of the store. Two trucks were completely destroyed. However, the main showroom was not damaged, there was only minor damage to some exterior siding.
The owner of Brady’s, Jeanie Brady, tells us that no one was inside the store when the fire started. The business is closed Mondays. He hasn’t been in yet to survey the full damage so isn’t sure if the building was damaged but did say one truck was lost to the fire.
IFPD Public Information Officer Joelyn Hansen says the Department is seeking assistance in locating 41-year-old Jason G. Schlegel. Schlegel is a person of interest in a fire that occurred behind Brady’s. The IFPD and the Idaho Falls Fire Department are currently investigating the fire that destroyed two trucks as an arson.
The Idaho Falls Fire Department says, “Three engines, one ladder truck, three ambulances and two chiefs, for a total of twenty personnel, responded. Upon arrival at the single story, large commercial building there was heavy black smoke coming from the rear of the building. Engine 5 and Ambulance 6 commenced fire attack on the fire under the awning at the rear of the structure. Engine 2 and Ambulance 2 conducted a primary search of the structure and declared it all clear. Engine 1 and Ambulance 1 secured a water supply, extinguished two burning vehicles, and then set up a rapid intervention team. Ambulance 2 pulled a back-up line to support Engine 5. Ladder 1 checked the roof for extension. The fire was knocked down, and the overhaul to check for hot spots was complete.” IFFD says, there was extensive damage to two vehicles, as well as multiple hot tubs and covers. The damage is estimated at approximately $120,000. Due to an aggressive fire attack and the use of fire sprinklers, there was no extension to the interior of the structure.
