ATF offers reward for information on devastating QVC fire in Rocky Mount
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday that it will offer a cash reward for any information on a devastating fire in Rocky Mount that destroyed a QVC distribution plant and led to nearly 2,000 jobs being lost.
The massive fire destroyed the 1.4 million-square-foot distribution QVC center in Rocky Mount, a community roughly 60 miles northeast of Raleigh, and killed a 21-year-old man, The News & Observer previously reported.
In the aftermath of the Dec. 18 fire, QVC said it would close the site, leading to 1,900 workers being laid off.
ATF said it would set a reward of up to $10,000 for any information on the fire. QVC plans to match the reward, meaning tips on the fire’s cause could lead to as much as $20,000.
In its release, ATF said if it receives information that points to criminal activity, the tipster could be rewarded if an arrest and conviction ensue.
Corey Ray, a spokesman for ATF, said the reward did not mean his agency had determined the QVC fire was intentionally set.
“The reason we put that (reward) out is that we haven’t drawn a conclusion,” Ray said in a phone interview. “No determination has been made. We have done a lot of work through our response team and investigation, but we are still looking for any additional information.”
“With a reward of this size,” he added, “we and all of our partners hope it will bring back new information and new tips.”
Mike Causey, the state fire marshal and insurance commissioner, said in a statement that he agreed with ATF’s decision to offer a reward for information on the fire.
“I ask anyone who knows anything about this fire to please come forward,” Causey said.
The QVC fire is being investigated by ATF, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, the N.C. Office of State Fire Marshal and the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office.
ATF said tips will remain anonymous and can be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, or through ATF’s website at atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.
This story was originally published February 11, 2022 at 1:29 PM with the headline "ATF offers reward for information on devastating QVC fire in Rocky Mount."
